18. Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will commit to rollout the Drugs Courts nationwide. [4369/06]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): A decision was taken last month to put the pilot Drug Treatment Court, currently operating in the Dublin 7 area, on a permanent footing. It will be extended on a phased basis to the wider Dublin area in consultation with the other agencies involved in supporting the court. The president of the District Court has assigned a judge of the Dublin metropolitan District Court to the Drug Treatment Court on a permanent basis. The effect of this is to bring the Drug Treatment Court in closer contact with the other courts in the Dublin metropolitan district from which the clients of the Drug Treatment Court are referred. I am satisfied that the court is providing a very worthwhile and innovative service and I will provide it with every support going forward. In this regard, the possibility of extending the Drug Treatment Court to areas outside Dublin will be considered.

Vol. 616 No. 3 Written Answers Thursday, 9 March 2006