Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: I wish to bring to the attention of the House the increased use of and dependency on illegal drugs, the damage being done to our society, urban and rural, throughout the entire country, and the urgent need for an enhanced programme of drug treatment and, at the same time, renewed efforts to cut off the supply with the intention of reducing dependency, recognising that all secondary schools throughout the country have a problem and that most of our primary schools are trying to face the same problem. I ask that this be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Colm Burke: My understanding at present is that more than 13,000 people are receiving treatment for drug addiction. That has increased by more than 1,000 in the past 12 months alone, so there is a major challenge there and there will have to be a joined up approach. As the Deputy knows, the Committee on Drugs Use is dealing with the citizens' assembly report. My Department will have to wait until the committee comes back with its proposals as to how we go forward. We have huge challenges in education, healthcare and a lot of other areas. We must work together to try to reduce the level of dependency on drugs. Unfortunately, it appears now that it will be a growing problem because of the way it has developed over the past few years. There are, however, over 440 centres around the country now dealing with drug and alcohol addiction, and every one of them is working extremely hard to provide the level of care that is required.