159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths in each of the past ten years arising from a drugs overdose where methadone was one of the drugs present; and the number of deaths in each of the past ten years arising from a drugs overdose where methadone was the only drug present. [46699/14]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): Information on drug-related deaths is available from 2004 onwards as the National Drugs Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) was established in September 2005. The NDRDI is an epidemiological database which records cases of death by drug and/or alcohol poisoning and death among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent. Four sources are used to collate deaths: Coroner’s records; Hospital In-patient Enquiry System; Central Treatment List; and the General Mortality Register.

The Health Research Board (HRB) launched their report on the 21st January 2014 which showed deaths for 2011, the latest year for which data are available. Of the 113 such deaths reported in 2011 the majority of these deaths (86%) involved poly-substance poisonings, in addition, 68% of those who died where methadone was implicated were not in opiate substitution treatment at the time of their death.   

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.