Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
374. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current operational status of the medically supervised injecting facility following the conclusion of its pilot phase in June 2026; when the final evaluation and child impact assessment due in the fourth quarter of 2026 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53759/26]
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. From December 2024 to the end of May 2026 there has been a consistently high demand for the SIF, with:
• 22,000 attendances at the facility (circa 350 per week)
• 1,800 clients have used the facility (circa 150 per week)
• 380 interventions in drug overdoses (all non-fatal)
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to Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to continue to operate the facility. It has now been licenced to operate until 21 June 2027.
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 report],covering the first six months of the operation of the facility (December 2024 to June 2025) has been published. It documents early evidence of the impact and effectiveness of the facility.
It is reassuring that the independent interim evaluation of the SIF concluded that the impact and effectiveness of the facility has had a positive impact on service users and the wider community. I look forward to receiving the final evaluation report of the 18-month pilot phase of the facility which is anticipated to be completed in September.
