Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the newspaper reports regarding new figures obtained from the report from the national drugs related deaths index that indicate that drug related deaths are running at three times the officially recorded level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40921/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views in relation to contradictory newspaper reports which state that the actual deaths from drugs is three times greater than the national drug related index has determined; her further views on whether this reflects a wider demand for drugs than had previously been believed; the steps she is taking to reduce the demand for illicit drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33526/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 230 together.

In 2005, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform jointly asked the Health Research Board (HRB) to establish a National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI). The NDRDI data base combines information from four sources — coroners' records; the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry scheme (HIPE); the Central Treatment List (CTL) and the General Mortality Register (GMR). The first report of the NDRDI, covering the 8 year period 1998-2005 was published by the HRB at the beginning of this month. As was to be expected, the number of deaths reported under the new system is greater than those previously reported. Taking the year 2005 as an example, the number of deaths previously reported is 131, while the total number found by the comprehensive data collection method used in the NDRDI is 400.

The high quality of the data available in the NDRDI means that for the first time we can examine the total burden of drug-related mortality in Ireland and strengthen our approach to reducing it. My Department will be working with the HSE in this regard. The HSE has in place a range of measures in the area of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and staff training which aim, among other things, to reduce the demand for drugs. The HSE carries out this work in partnership, where appropriate, with the voluntary and community sector and in the wider context of the National Drugs Strategy which is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

In addition, following on from a recommendation in the Report on Drugs Rehabilitation, the HSE is in the process of appointing a national rehabilitation co-ordinator who will chair the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee which is being established. These developments will build on existing initiatives and facilitate the roll-out of further actions in the Rehabilitation Strategy to support drug users along their care pathway towards re-integration into their community.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the results of the research in relation to the cocaine public awareness campaign; if there was a reduction in demand in crime figures or in the number seeking health care as a result of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40918/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. This includes the development and ongoing implementation of public awareness campaigns. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of known heroin addicts here; the geographical spread of the addiction; the action taken to reduce the level of addiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40916/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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At end September 2008 there were 8,670 opiate users on the central treatment list (CTL) for methadone treatment: their geographic spread among the HSE regions was as follows:

4,289 reside in Dublin Mid-Leinster (49.5%);

3,017 reside in Dublin North East (34.8%);

233 reside in the West and (2.7%);

163 reside in the South. (1.9%).

In addition 470 (5.4%) of those on the CTL at the end of September 2008 were being treated in prison. A further 498 people (5.7%) on the CTL were being treated at the Drug Treatment Centre Board in Pearse Street, Dublin. A number of opiate users in both these situations would be from outside the Dublin area. However, since clients move on and off the CTL, the number who would be on the list in a year, for example, is greater than the number who would be recorded in any given month.

Actions to reduce the level of addiction take place within the overall context of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) 2001-2008 which is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The HSE has a range of measures in place in the area of prevention, treatment and harm reduction which aim to reduce the level of addiction to heroin. Where appropriate, it pursues actions with partners in the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. In addition, in line with recommendations in the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation published by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the HSE is in the process of appointing a national rehabilitation co-ordinator who will chair the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee which is being established. These developments will help to build on existing initiatives and facilitate the roll-out of further actions in the Rehabilitation Strategy to support drug users along their care pathway towards re-integration into their community.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the increase in the numbers involved in the methadone scheme as operated by the Health Service Executive; the action she proposes or has taken to deal with the matter; the areas involved; if there is a waiting list in relation to participants obtaining a general practitioner to process their application for inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33516/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the number of pharmacists participating in the methadone scheme as operated by the Health Service Executive, in view of the areas involved; the number of methadone users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33515/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.