Written answers

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Department of Health

National Drugs Strategy

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Minister for Health the status of moves towards the provision of an integrated treatment service for all substance users as outlined in the national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19073/16]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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433. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the national drug rehabilitation implementation committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19076/16]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the development of a clinical and organisational governance framework for all treatment and rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/16]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 433 and 439 together.

Government policy in relation to drugs underlines the importance of providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life, where that is achievable. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has reoriented the addiction services in recent years so that they are capable of dealing with all substances. The HSE is continuing to develop the spread and range of addiction services to achieve better coverage across the country, especially in areas most affected by the drug problem. Treatment is provided through a network of statutory and non-statutory agencies, using a four tier model of service delivery. The four tier model is based on the principle that drug treatment is best provided at the lowest level of complexity, matching the patient’s needs and as close to the patient’s home as possible.

The National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (NDRIC) is chaired by the HSE and meets on a monthly basis. The primary objective of NDRIC is to oversee and monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation (2007). The Committee has developed a National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework which is crucial to achieving a more integrated treatment and rehabilitation service. The aim of the framework is to provide a 'continuum of care' for the recovering drug user through promoting a more integrated and person-centred approach to rehabilitation based on shared care planning. I am advised that the implementation of the National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework is a priority for the HSE and is currently being rolled out on a national basis.

I understand that the HSE is continuing to progress the development of a clinical and organisational governance framework, which provides for a governance structure setting out clear lines of authority, accountability and responsibility at all levels. The HSE National Addiction Governance Group are in the process of finalising a report on the matter, which will contribute to the achievement of this objective.

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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431. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of substance abuse treated in the past ten years per county, in tabular form; the number of these which received methadone treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19074/16]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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435. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a methadone programme per county over the past ten years; the number on waiting lists for a methadone programme for the same period; to provide the methadone completion numbers, that is, those who successfully came off the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19078/16]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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436. To ask the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner clinics participating in methadone programmes per county over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19079/16]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Minister for Health the number of pharmacies participating in methadone programmes per county over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19080/16]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 435 to 437, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

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