I am sure the Minister is familiar with the recent report of the Medico-Social Research Board which stated that more than 10 per cent of young people in one parish in the centre city area are using heroin. Given the evidence in that report, does the Minister consider there is an immediate emergency need for a special rehabilitation programme and centre to cater specifically for the needs of those heroin addicts in the centre city area and also in view of the fact that many of them are under the age of 18 years, for whom there is no centre relevant to their needs? The existing rehabilitation centre based at Coolmine is not specifically relevant to children from that cultural background.

Last month as an immediate measure the Eastern Health Board wrote to my Department after a series of efforts in which the Deputy was also involved last May and June. They did not come to fruition for various reasons, none of which was the fault of the Department of Health or the Eastern Health Board. Finally the health board wrote to my Department requesting £20,000 to enable a drug advisory treatment centre at Jervis Street to establish a service in association with a local committee. I gave my approval on 27 April and the project, which will be of a pilot nature, will be reviewed after one year. I am particularly concerned about the situation in the inner city area of Dublin. The Deputy knows the ward area well. I have also taken other immediate action such as referring a number of doctors to the Medical Council for investigation. So far I have referred three doctors and I have issued temporary directions in relation to one doctor in the Dublin area. I can assure the Deputy I am taking every immediate action possible. A number of other doctors will be investigated in the coming weeks.

I hardly think the Minister is seriously suggesting that the allocation of £20,000 for what amounts to an information centre in the centre city area is a treatment or a rehabilitation centre for those addicted to heroin. Regardless of the £20,000 that seems to have been mentioned everywhere by the previous Government and by this Government, I am sure the Minister is aware that it will not make any special impact on the problem ——

Will the Deputy please ask a question?

I am leading to it. I am sure the Minister knows that the allocation of £20,000 will not have any impact on the problem as outlined in the report of the Medico-Social Research Board. Will he respond specifically to my question, namely, does he see the need for a special re-habilitation centre? Does he see the need for further treatment facilities, given the overcrowded pre-fabs that exist at Jervis Street being the only treatment facilities available for heroin addicts? Does he see an immediate emergency need for the expansion of treatment facilities as distinct from a rehabilitation centre? The Minister has told us that he has referred a number of doctors to the Medical Council. I am aware that this relates to the availability of the drug diaconal to heroin addicts ——

This is Question Time and the Deputy must ask a question.

I am leading to a question.

The Deputy cannot lead to a question by making a statement giving a lot of information.