Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): The majority of clients with opiate addiction do not require access to a residential setting but rather require access to a methadone detoxification programme in a community setting. This in the majority of cases facilitates a return to a stable lifestyle. There are no waiting lists for under 18s for a methadone programme as clients in this age cohort are seen as a priority for entry into treatment services.

The number of adolescent residential detoxification beds is 4, located in the Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Service, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny. It is important to put detoxification in context. It is not a stand alone treatment but rather an important component of a comprehensive bio-psychosocial treatment plan for an addicted teenager. This is in line with the Report of the Working Group on Treatment of Under 18s presenting to Treatment Services with Serious Drug Problems, 2005.

There are 18 adolescent residential rehabilitation beds, 12 in Aislinn, Ballyragget and a further 6 in Matt Talbot Adolescent Services, Cara Lodge, Enniskeane, Co Cork. The Aislinn facility primarily provides a residential service dealing exclusively with addiction issues, while Cara Lodge in the main provides community based services and has access to long stay accommodation to meet the needs of some clients.