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Minister White announces €100,000 in annual funding for Mother and Child Residential Treatment Service in Coolmine Therapeutic Community

Alex White T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care and the National Drugs Strategy has today announced additional funding of €100,000 for Coolmine Therapeutic Community, which provides residential and community services to help people end their dependence on drugs.

This funding, which has been provided from the Drugs Initiative of the Department of Health, will support the Coolmine Therapeutic Community Mother and Child Residential Treatment Service in Ashleigh House. This facility allows mothers to keep their children with them during residential treatment, rather than leaving them with family or in State care.

The funding will be used to employ two full time crèche workers, who will care for the children while the mothers attend therapy. The facility, which is the only one of its kind in Ireland, will have the capacity to cater for up to 25 children and their mothers on an annual basis.

Minister White stated “The Government is particularly focused on ensuring that there is an increased emphasis on moving people on from drug treatment to a drug free life where that is achievable. The funding I am providing will ensure that potential barriers will be removed for women who wish to access this service and so increase their opportunities to achieve a life without drugs”.

He continued “I am also pleased to announce that my Department recently provided €100,000 in capital funding to Coolmine Therapeutic Community to upgrade facilities at their men’s residential service in Coolmine Lodge. This reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to the National Drugs Strategy”.

The new funding announced today by Minister White brings the overall funding provided from the Drugs Initiative to Coolmine Therapeutic Community this year to over €804,000.

Note for the Editors:

Coolmine Therapeutic Community

Coolmine Therapeutic Community (CTC) provides a range of services to help overcome addiction. They provide a drop in facility, cocaine management programme and day programmes from their Lord Edward Street location in Dublin 2. They provide a 5 month residential programme for men in Coolmine Lodge as well as a day programme. They also operate a 5 month mother and child residential treatment service in Ashleigh House.