Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will develop the drugs court as an alternative to prison. [15056/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Drug treatment courts can make an important contribution as a restorative justice measure but international studies also indicate that they need to evolve and develop on an ongoing basis. My Department carried out a review of the Dublin Drug Treatment Court which was published in May 2010 and identified particular issues to be addressed in terms of the court's management and operation. As a result of that review an Advisory Committee was established which has met regularly to progress matters and to monitor the implementation of the recommendations in the Report with the aim of improving the programme's throughput and effectiveness.

The aim is to develop the potential of the Drug Treatment Court but to do so in line with the international experience by continually reviewing the effectiveness of the programme to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and, if it is doing so, to continue to expand the use of the Drug Treatment Court as an alternative to prison. A further review of the Drug Treatment Court is to be conducted in 2012.