Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the review dealing with the treatment of those under 18 who are misusing drugs will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10603/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Action 49 of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 called for the development of a protocol for the treatment of those under 18 presenting to drug services with serious drug misuse problems. In response to this action a working group was established, which was chaired by an official from my Department and comprised members of the statutory and voluntary sectors.

To fulfil its remit, the group undertook a number of initiatives, including: an examination of the legal issues surrounding treatment; a literature review carried out by the Addiction Research Centre; a review of services and service gaps nationally; the establishment of focus groups of services misusers within and outside the eastern region; a review of the treatment issues raised in the focus groups by a consultant adolescent and child psychiatrist in substance abuse. The report of this group was finalised in 2004 and arrangements are in place for its publication in the coming weeks.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures in place and remain to be implemented to ensure that all drug misusers have immediate access to professional assessment and counselling by regional health services as promised under the national drugs strategy; if she will provide information on the existing waiting times for access to such services in each regional health office area; when she envisages that these waiting times will be eliminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10604/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for drug treatment services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the executive to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a pilot community pharmacy needle and syringe exchange programme in the ERHA area promised under the national drugs strategy has not been established to date; when she expects this facility will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10605/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for drug treatment services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.