Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Gould and Ward for raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to inform the House on the current position relating to the continued closure of the Keltoi rehabilitation unit. I thank the Deputies for outlining their journey in terms of their work on front-line addiction services and the care plan that was provided.

From the outset of the pandemic, the Government identified drug treatment and addiction services as essential services. I acknowledge the leadership and commitment of addiction services, including the HSE, community-based services and voluntary service providers, in ensuring their services operated safely during the pandemic. There were many innovations in the delivery of drug and alcohol services during Covid-19, especially the use of online services. The additional resources I am providing for community-based drug and alcohol services and HSE addiction services in 2022 will consolidate these gains. The Deputies outlined the difficulties relating to dual diagnosis. We are moving in a direction to try to deal with dual diagnosis.

I am aware of the constraints faced by residential drug and alcohol treatment services during Covid-19 due to social distancing and other public health measures. I support the efforts of the HSE and voluntary service providers to restore services to pre-Covid-19 levels. I have provided an additional €3.3 million to expand capacity in residential treatment services. In total, this funding will provide an additional 475 treatment episodes in a full year.

As the Deputies are aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during Covid-19 in CHO 9. This group of service users were not able to isolate in their own accommodation on public health grounds as they required specific individual care plans. It is important to state there are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin north city and county. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded and quarantine accommodation. The HSE has advised there are still significant ongoing demands for isolation in this facility and that it will be maintained as a Covid isolation facility for as long as required. I welcome the assurance from the HSE. The continued use of the facility as a Covid-19 response is being reviewed monthly in line with national guidance.

I recognise it is vital that individuals receiving rehabilitation services from Keltoi are supported to continue their recovery path. I welcome the fact that Keltoi counselling staff in the HSE Stanhope Centre are continuing to provide appropriate support services to clients under the Keltoi aftercare programme. I am happy to advise the House that the HSE remains committed to enhancing residential addiction services in this area, including the reopening of the Keltoi facility once it is no longer required as part of the Covid-19 response. I acknowledge the challenges faced by service providers during Covid-19 and will continue to support them to fully resume services. I am pleased to inform the House that the Department of Health has provided an additional budget allocation of €10 million in 2022 to maintain public health measures for people who are homeless and to consolidate improvements in healthcare delivery.

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