Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 312: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to open two cocaine specific treatment centres, in addition to pilot projects for cocaine, approved under the emerging needs fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47856/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Services for cocaine users continue to be provided as a integral part of the existing HSE addiction treatment services. In recent times the HSE has been re-orienting its addiction services to address the needs arising from changing patterns of drug use in the population e.g. poly drug use including cocaine use, alcohol use and abuse of prescribed drugs. Available evidence indicates that many approaches already in use in general addiction services work well with cocaine misusers. These approaches are not specific to the treatment of a cocaine using group and are effective for problem use of other substances.

In response to the emerging need for services for cocaine misusers the HSE developed an out of work hours cocaine specific clinic for the Galway area. However, a review by the clinical team of the Galway cocaine initiative identified a lack of attendance by clients: the evening service was not used by primary cocaine users as anticipated despite rigorous advertising and promotion and calls to the service during the evening session were often poly drug users and family members looking to access an evening service. Consequently, it was decided that the evening session should be retained to offer an out of hours service open to all referrals — including primary cocaine users — as it is envisaged that this will be a more effective use of the evening clinical sessions. Further development of cocaine services will take on board the lessons learned from the Galway experience.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 313: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to continue to use the young people's facilities and services fund to assist in the development of youth facilities and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop and to extend the fund to further towns mainly in Leinster; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47859/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As you may be aware, further to the Taoiseach's announcement in May 2008, arrangements to transfer responsibility for the Young People's Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) to the Office of the Minister for Youth Affairs and Children have recently been completed. I am of the opinion that this will assist in the provision of a cohesive and comprehensive response to the needs of all young people, including those at risk of drug use.

Since it was established in 1998, the Government has allocated over €150m under the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) to assist in the development of youth facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. Approximately €66m has been provided for capital developments, which include the building, upgrading, fit-out and refurbishment of some 220 youth and community facilities in the different target areas.

Over €20m in capital and current funding has transferred from the Department of Community, Rural, & Gaeltacht Affairs Vote to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. My officials, and officials from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs have been liaising over recent months to ensure a seamless transition. I am confident that the transfer will assist in ensuring the most strategic use of this fund and other youth programmes under my overall remit. I can assure the Deputy that my officials are liaising with the existing National Advisory Council to ensure the focus and objectives of the fund are protected and promoted in the OMCYA.

At present, the Fund operates in the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas (Dublin (12), Bray and Cork), and in Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow Town. In light of the current fiscal climate my Department is currently examining available resources in order to determine if the expansion of the Fund to the four new towns of Arklow, Athlone, Dundalk and Wexford, announced in May 2008, can take place this year in any meaningful way. A decision on this matter will be made shortly.