Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1218. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the date at which the final evaluation of the 18-month pilot phase of the supervised injecting facility in Dublin will commence; the timeline being worked towards in completing that final evaluation;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35194/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expansion of harm reduction was a significant accomplishment of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, as assessed by an independent evaluation of the strategy. It found that harm reduction initiatives were a central component of the health-led approach to drug use, with a focus on reducing the adverse health and social impacts associated with drug use.
One significant harm reduction initiative is the establishment of a supervised injecting facility. In December 2024, the Department of Health granted a licence to operate Ireland's first supervised injecting facility to Merchants Quay Ireland for a pilot 18 month period. Over a 16 month period (to April 2026), 1,700 individual clients have attended the facility for a total of 19,700 visits. Crucially, there were over 300 successful interventions to prevent a fatal overdose.
The HSE is overseeing an evaluation of the 18-month pilot phase of the facility. The evaluation commenced in March 2025 and is ongoing. An interim evaluation was produced late last year. The final evaluation report is anticipated to be completed at the end of quarter 3 2026. I am considering a proposal to extend the licence for the 18 month pilot period to allow for the completion of the evaluation report, subject to the granting of permission to retain the facility by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
I look forward to receiving the evaluation of the 18 month pilot phase of the facility. The findings of the evaluation will inform future decisions on applications for licences for facilities in Dublin and elsewhere, depending on local need.
