Dáil debates
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Priority Questions
National Drugs Strategy.
3:00 pm
Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the provisions he will make in the new national drugs strategy to support and assist communities and families who are affected by drug abuse, particularly grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren as a result of their own children being drug addicts and unable for the responsibilities of parenthood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33857/08]
John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Support for families affected by drug misuse is a key priority of the current national drugs strategy and I expect it will continue to be prioritised under the new strategy which is currently being developed. As the Deputy knows only too well, problem drug use can have a devastating effect on the family and it is particularly important to have appropriate, accessible and timely services in place to help these families deal with the problems they face. In this context, my Department provides annual funding to support the development of the family support network, FSN, for families affected by problem drug use. This has facilitated the development of the network as a national organisation, thereby ensuring a more co-ordinated approach to the issue of family support within the drugs strategy. It has also allowed the existing FSN to be established on a much firmer and more organised footing, which has facilitated the co-ordinated development of local family support groups around the country, with ongoing opportunities for networking among them. In addition, links and partnerships between the families of problem drug users and others involved in the implementation of the drugs strategy have improved.
A number of family support projects are also being supported through the local and regional drugs task forces, including through the emerging needs fund. The services provided include support for parents, spouses and partners and assistance for children of problem drug users. Families receive support from both specific projects aimed at families and more generic services such as community drugs teams.
The role of the family was emphasised by the working group on drugs rehabilitation, which made specific recommendations regarding the role of families in the rehabilitation process. The Deputy should also note that the National Advisory Committee on Drugs published a study, The Experiences of Families Seeking Support in Coping with Heroin Use, which stresses the need to value the role of the family in treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. In the context of the findings of the NACD Report, the Family Support Agency and the Family Resource Centres have started to put in place links with the FSN in order to provide assistance and guidance where needed, along with the provision of funding to the FSN to allow further development of their organisation.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
During the consultation process undertaken in respect of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, particularly in the series of public meetings around the country, the work taking place under the umbrella of family support was highly praised, although it was felt that enhanced resources and support are required in this area. The issue of support for family members, including elderly grandparents, who are caring for the children of other family members who are incapable of discharging their responsibilities due to problem drug use, was also raised. I fully expect that this, along with other family support issues which were raised, will be addressed during the deliberations of the steering group which is currently developing the new strategy. Their work will be ongoing over the coming months.
Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
That sounds very good, but grandparents are the ones who must pick up the pieces when they become the primary carers and educators of children whose parents have been caught up in addiction. At the weekend I spent some time at the Irish Bishops' Conference on alcohol and drug abuse in parishes and communities. I noted that many of the people who spoke were grandparents and parents. Many of these mentioned the difficulties of accessing any kind of programme to help them deal with the challenges of bringing up their grandchildren. They find they are being sent from one agency to another. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that this is dealt with in the new national drugs strategy.
The Minister named some of the relevant agencies. Some of the people I spoke to at the weekend did not have a clue what these agencies were. These are the people who are at the heart of all this confusion. I ask the Minister to accept there is real concern out there among families, particularly grandparents, and ensure this is taken into account in the new national drugs strategy. These people should be dealt with fairly and the agencies made available to them so that they are not sent from one agency to another.
John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Before I address the Deputy's question, I want to clarify that at the moment there are quite a number of family support projects. Around 120 such projects are being run by local drugs task forces, while the regional drugs task forces are running 50 projects that have been identified as providing primarily family support. During the public consultation period for the new national drugs strategy, the issue raised by the Deputy came through loud and clear, with regard to both family support and grandparents who are primary carers. As the Deputy knows, the steering group, which consists of representatives of the key statutory, community and voluntary interests, is going through the deliberations. I have no doubt that the specific issues of family support and grandparents are being considered for the new strategy.
Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
I appreciate what the Minister is saying. The goal of ensuring people know what services are available should be included in the national drugs strategy, as they do not seem to know at the moment. That was quite obvious to anybody who was at the conference at the weekend. Parents and grandparents cannot identify the groups that could provide support even in their own areas. That should be a focus of the national drugs strategy.
John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
I agree with the Deputy. During the public consultation process it was found that the availability of services seemed to vary radically around the country. In some parts of Dublin services are more accessible and better established, while in other parts of the country there is clearly a deficit. I acknowledge and agree with the Deputy's point.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context
That concludes Priority Questions.