Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State. Drug treatment services and the national drug strategy are important, as is the allocation of grant aid to organisations and those who are serious in an attempt to help those on the road to recovery. The Minister of State is familiar with the Adjournment motion, which concerns the Fellowship House facility on the outskirts of Cork city. It is a halfway house for men in recovery from poly addiction. Since its opening in 2002, Fellowship House has been providing accommodation for men in the early stages of recovery. It provided accommodation for men when it was not popular to do so. Fellowship House has embarked on an ambitious programme to develop a new facility at Spur Hill, Togher, to provide step down facilities for men in the city and county of Cork.

An application for funding for €4 million, under the capital assistance scheme, was made to Cork County Council. The council fully supported and approved the project. In January 2008, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government received a submission from Cork County Council and in August the project went to tender. The tender reports submitted to the Department by Cork County Council on 4 February 2009 is where the deadlock lies. There is a demand for the facility because there is a 95% occupancy rate for the services Renewal Sheltered Housing and Fellowship House provide. The board has plans to increase capacity to 31 places. Are we serious about providing continuing care services to people on the road from addiction?

The report of Renewal Sheltered Housing refers to 72% of men and 63% of women between 18 and 34 years of age presenting themselves for treatment and availing of the facility. That is a staggering figure in that age group admitting to poly addiction. Planning permission has been granted and the project has been put out to tender. Tenders have been received and therein lies the crux of the matter. Renewal Sheltered Housing is waiting for the capital. Are we serious about tackling the drugs issue and are we serious and genuine in assisting those on the road to recovery?

The staff at Fellowship House do excellent work. This matter is about continuing care and the services the facility will provide in assisting people who would not ordinarily get a chance on the road to recovery from alcohol and drugs. Will we allow this asset to stand still or will we allow the people of Cork to assist people on the road to recovery? We often hear about the frontline but in this case those at the frontline are making a difference at the coal face of addiction recovery. This is a programme worthy of support. The mission statement of Renewal Sheltered Housing suggests the programme is about trying to achieve a balance between maintaining contact with the family, work, developing recreation skills and a sober support system. I pay tribute to the voluntary board of directors, the staff and management and the Sisters of Mercy and the SMA Fathers for the work they do. The programme needs capital injection. Senator Coghlan spoke about meaningful dialogue. Are we serious about that and about intervention and assistance? A 95% rate of occupancy spells out that there is a demand for services. The work and actions of the staff of Renewal Sheltered Housing at Fellowship House are about recovery. At the front of the Fellowship House brochure is a very nice statement, which is "a chance to change". Therein lies the opportunity. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.