An Cathaoirleach: We have apologies from Deputy Devine and Senator Ryan. Deputy Ó Murchú is substituting for Deputy Devine.

I am delighted to open the 13th public meeting of the joint committee and our first in this module on treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. I welcome our witnesses today from the Aiséirí treatment centre, Ms Sara Cassidy, head of clinical services, and Ms Mary Hennessey, chief executive officer; from Cluain Mhuire, Mr. Gerry McElroy, chief executive officer, and Ms Nicola Kelly, manager of Cluain Mhuire Athy; from Soilse, Mr. Noel Murphy, manager the HSE social inclusion addiction service, and Mr. Brian Kirwan, general manager of the HSE social inclusion addiction service; Dr. Garrett McGovern, who has worked in this field for almost 30 years; and from the After Care Recovery Group, Mr. Tony Keogh, project manager. They are all very welcome....

I invite Ms Cassidy to deliver her opening statement on behalf of Aiséirí.

Ms Sara Cassidy: I thank committee members and esteemed guests for the opportunity to address them today. I am head of clinical services in Aiséirí, and I am joined by Mary Hennessy, CEO. Aiséirí was established in 1983, and has grown into a national, leading provider of addiction treatment in Ireland. Aiséirí provides a unique continuum of care and recovery, from residential detoxification, addiction treatment, secondary addiction treatment, sober living and recovery support to our progression programme, which provides education and career development. We also run Aislinn, the only residential addiction treatment service in the State for young people aged 15 to 21.

Over the past four decades, Aiséirí has continuously developed to meet the complex and changing needs of individuals affected by addiction and their families. We are a national service located in four counties across the south-east. Our collective goal here today is treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. It is important to stress that a residential treatment programme is the first pillar of support for an addict but recovery support and ongoing rehabilitation are the other two. Individual transformation comes from the services that continue to support and enable ongoing recovery and healing.

Aiséirí is steadfast in its vision. We believe in the priceless potential of people and that recovery from addiction is possible for everyone. Aiséirí is among the addiction treatment centres and national voluntary drug and alcohol services of Ireland, and we continue to advocate for people requiring addiction treatment services. As regards the ongoing challenge of addiction, mainly with young people in Ireland, substance misuse is undoubtedly a pervasive problem in Irish society, and the age of people requiring treatment has dropped dramatically in recent years, as reflected in the citizen's assembly's findings. Early intervention and addiction treatment is crucial. Aiséirí provides treatment for young people who are the most vulnerable and often marginalised in society. This is truly a preventative and life-changing service, unique in the State and focused on managing the complexity of this group's needs from neurodiversity, mental health, trauma, intergenerational family addiction, educational deficits, housing and deprivation. Our admission data currently shows that 40% of our adolescent clients have ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity, which adds to the responsibility, challenges of care and cost that face Aiséirí Aislinn now and into the future. The major challenge is Aiséirí Aislinn has capacity, but is underutilised by the State, despite a massive and growing national addiction problem.

The HSE national funder holds the purse strings but is also in control of referral pathways. The current HSE drugs strategy of trying to meet the needs of young people in the community is valid but it should also consistently enable referral to residential care at local, regional and national level when required. Referrals should not be a postcode lottery. Similarly, in the judicial system, the youth diversion programme has stopped the referral pathway into early treatment for young people as they no longer have a probation officer. These changes in referral pathways have reduced access for young people requiring residential treatment. In 2020, we had 177 referrals and in 2025, 140 young people were referred to the services. The most vulnerable people who have the most complex needs require long-term recovery and rehabilitation.

[Click here for the full debate]

Opening statement, Sara Cassidy, Head of Clinical Services, Aiseiri

Opening statement, Tony Keogh Manager and a founding member of A.C.R.G. (After Care Recovery Group)

Opening statement, Dr Gareth McGovern. Medical Director, Priority Medical Clinic

Opening statement, Noel Murphy, Soilse manager

Opening statement, Karl Ducque, Coordinator, Treatment and Recovery Programme (TARP), Merchant’s Quay Ireland

Opening statement, Stephanie Kirwan, Head of Services, Health, Mental Health and Standards, Peter McVerry Trust

Opening statement, Damien Quinn, Founder, Spéire Nua

Opening statement, Niamh McGuinness, Deputy Head of Operations, Prisons & Regional Addiction Services, Merchant’s Quay Ireland