Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if plans are in place to extend the Drug Treatment Courts to Dublin City and specifically the Dublin 8 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, 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 a probation and welfare officer, an addiction nurse, a Garda liaison officer, an education/training representative and counsellors.

My Department is currently examining the operation of the Court having regard to the Exchequer position and officials are looking at best practice elsewhere to see how the Court's throughput levels might be increased. It is intended to conclude this examination as soon as possible.