190. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 176 to 178 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide confirmation of the way women, no longer in treatment in the Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Schemes, are now serviced by addiction services. [13761/15]

191. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide details of the way the over 25 years of age group is now serviced by addiction services.  [13778/15]

192. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm the way the basis for which the Special Community Employment Schemes was set, focused on a model around working with persons who were on methadone and attending treatment clinics, can be reconciled to meeting the needs of this reported younger cohort. [13783/15]

193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health  further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm, out of the 936 participants clients he has confirmed as participants on special Community Employment Schemes as at December 2014, the number of those participants who were also on the Methadone Scheme. [13786/15]

194. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm out of the 824 participant clients, he has confirmed as participants on special Community Employment Schemes as at December 2012, the number of those participants who were also on the Methadone Scheme. [13787/15] 

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar):  I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 194, inclusive, together.

Government policy in relation to drugs emphasises the need to provide opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life where that is achievable. Drug-specific community employment schemes have made a significant contribution to the broad rehabilitation effort. This special programme is part of the integrated effort to facilitate and support participants in their ongoing recovery from problem drug use. The programme aims to enable those affected by substance misuse, including those in methadone treatment, to address those problems through helping to provide more structure to their lives and giving them opportunities to improve their skills. Participants are encouraged to continue to link in with local addiction services in order to maximise their recovery and re-engagement with community and working life.

The data contained in the Central Treatment List, which is the administrative database to regulate the dispensing of methadone treatment, is not cross-referenced with any other data source. It does not contain information on whether an individual who is in receipt of methadone treatment is participating in a Drug Specific Community Employment Scheme.

In relation to individuals who have completed participation on a Drug Specific Community Employment Scheme, access to drug treatment services is based on medical need.

I hope this clarified the matter for the Deputy.