Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 269: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to plans to open a prisoner rehabilitation facility in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 1; if these plans are inconsistent with the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11521/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can inform the Deputy that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform through the Probation Service provides funding to approximately 50 voluntary bodies to assist with the management of offenders in the community. These funded projects provide a range of services to offenders in local communities, including training and education, offender management programmes, residential accommodation, and drug and alcohol abuse treatment programmes. The project the subject of this Parliamentary Question , is one such project.

As the Deputy may be aware the Project in question provides an intensive supervision programme for male offenders in the greater Dublin area who are subject to Probation Service supervision. The programme is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team with the Probation Service as the lead agency. For clarity I should point out that this project is not an addiction treatment centre. The project is currently accommodated in leased premises in Parnell St, Dublin 1. These premises have been found not to be suitable for the long term operation of the project and in January this year work commenced on the fit out of new office premises at Wolfe Tone Street also in Dublin 1. The project is expected to move in after the construction work is completed in May and before their current lease expires.

Although my Department recognises that addiction is a contributory factor in re-offending the Probation Service is not a primary drug treatment service provider. As the Deputy is fully aware the HSE is established as the principal provider and funder of medical and non-medical addiction services for both illicit drug and alcohol use delivered through its Social Inclusion Services. That said, I can assure the Deputy that, in keeping with the principles in the National Drug Strategy 2009-2016 and specific recommendations contained therein, the Probation Service is fully committed to playing its part in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated drug treatment implementation programme.