Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2788. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of the HSE Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39161/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE.

Members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point .

I can provide the Deputy with the most recent information provided by the HSE in relation to Keltoi Residential Unit on the 05^thMay 2021.

Keltoi Residential Unit previously provided residential rehabilitation program to service users as follow on to participants completing a residential detox program. As part of the HSE response to Covid-19 services provided by Keltoi were suspended so that the facility could be used as part of our critical response to the challenge of Covid-19 in our area.

The facility in Keltoi provides a specific Social Inclusion response to the management of Covid-19 in the area that cannot be met within other services that have been set up by the HSE. The requirement for the use of Keltoi as Covid-19 response will be continually reviewed but it is anticipated that Keltoi would be required for the foreseeable future.

The HSE had previously moved the aftercare programme to our Stanhope Centre in Dublin 7 rather than in Keltoi. This programme has continued to operate delivered by Keltoi counselling staff who are based in the Stanhope Centre since the residential programme closed through online sessions. Staff from Keltoi triaged all aftercare clients and provided 1 to 1 counselling by telephone / online and online group work for others that were in aftercare so as service users were still provided therapeutic support. Also additional health and social supports, including consultant psychiatrist support have continued to be provided as required.

The closure of Keltoi has reduced an average 52 treatment beds per year and HSE has purchased extra capacity in other Tier 4 services for addiction service users to accommodate the above shortfall across the Dublin region.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2789. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the need for secular residential rehabilitation and detox facilities. [39162/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The national health policy in relation to addiction is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery; A health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017 -2025.

Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE is responsible for the provision of health and personal social services including addiction services. The HSE either providers these services directly or contracts to have them provided on its behalf.

Organisations which provide addiction services and are funded by the HSE are required to meet minimum standards in the delivery of services across a range of criteria which form the basis of any service level agreement.

The Department has no jurisdiction over agencies that provide private addiction treatment services. There is currently no provision in legislation for the regulation or inspection of residential treatment or rehabilitation centres specialising in addiction.

I am committed to ensuring there is transparent monitoring and oversight of publicly funded drug and alcohol treatment services.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2790. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to recognise and support persons in recovery from addiction. [39163/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use for the period 2017 to 2025. The strategy provides an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.

The strategy commits to supporting people with substance misuse issues on their journey to recovery.

A number of important measures have been introduced to improve access to drug and alcohol services. In 2020 these measures included;

(a) the recruitment of four drug and alcohol liaison midwives to support pregnant women,

(b) the commencement of a residential treatment services for women with children in the mid-west and south regions, and

(c) the commencement of a community-based alcohol treatment service in Galway.

The full year costs of implementing these measures are €2.1m in 2021.

I announced new funding of €4.1m for the following drug and alcohol services in Budget 2021:

- €1m to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces. The allocation of this funding will be Informed by the outcome of the midterm review of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, and emerging trends and priorities.

- €2m to increase residential treatment services for people with severe drug and alcohol dependency across the country, including a step-up stabilisation facility in CHOs Cork/Kerry, Mid-West and South East and a low threshold programme in Dublin North East Inner City

-€700,000 to expand community and family support services, including initiatives in Donegal/Leitrim/Sligo, Louth/Meath, Cork/Kerry, and Dublin North Inner City

- €400,000 for harm reduction initiatives, including pilot drug monitoring at festivals and the night-time economy, expanded access to the drugs and alcohol helpline and increased provision of naloxone

A further €4.2 million will be provided in 2021 for the continued treatment of an additional 700 clients on opioid substitution treatment (OST), who were given access to OST in 2020 under the Covid-19 contingency plan for people who use drugs.