Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when or if he will roll out the pilot drug court scheme on a national basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26306/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Drug Treatment Court, which originally operated on a pilot basis in the North inner city of Dublin, has been placed on a permanent footing and extended to the Dublin 7 area. The Court uses a multi-disciplinary approach and involves a range of Government Departments and agencies charged with dealing with various aspects of the problem of drug misuse. The Court operates with the assistance of a team which includes the judge, a probation and welfare officer, an addiction nurse, a Garda liaison officer and education/training representative and counsellors. There are plans to extend the Court to the rest of the Dublin Metropolitan District (of the District Court) on a phased basis and discussions with other agencies, including the HSE, are ongoing in this regard.

I am satisfied that the Court is providing a worthwhile and innovative service and I will continue to provide it with every support. The question of the further extension of the Court will be kept under review.