Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answers 414, 419, 420 - Health services [40009/14].

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answers 414, 419, 420 - Health services [40009/14]. (21 Oct 2014)

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414. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of methadone as opioid substitute treatment in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and the cost to the Exchequer of providing this treatment for each of those years. [40009/14]

419. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all citizens with addiction problems on opioid substitute treatment programmes and receiving methadone will be offered detoxification residential programmes and follow up supports, including retraining for jobs and, where necessary, housing; and if such a proposal has been evaluated and costed by his Department. [40014/14]

420. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the frequency with which clients in receipt of methadone as opioid substitute treatment attend direct patient consultations with doctors working in drug treatment centres or general practices. [40017/14]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): I propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 419 and 420 together.

The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 has identified a need for the ongoing development of the spread and range of treatment services and a more seamless transition from treatment to rehabilitation.

In line with the Strategy, a National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework has been developed which sets out an integrated inter-agency model of rehabilitation based on shared care planning to ensure that service users access the range of services required to assist them in their recovery. This requires increasing emphasis on models of care that treat clients at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, effective and efficient and as close to home as possible in line with their individual needs. The National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee, chaired by the HSE, is overseeing the implementation of the framework which is currently being rolled out nationally.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the number of persons in receipt of methadone, the frequency of attending clinics and GPs, and the cost of providing such services in the relevant time period.

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