More than 180 people with a heroin addiction are being treated with buprenorphine — an alternative to methadone — in the south-west and mid-west, figures show. HSE Addiction Service announced last week that it wants to expand the use of Buvidal — a newer form of buprenorphine that can be administered far less often, and more easily, than methadone. This is done at the HSE addiction treatment clinic. The Department of Health provided additional funding of €750,000 in Budget 2026 with the aim of expanding Buvidal treatment for a further 200 people. HSE Mid West told the Irish Examiner that its addiction service has 33 clients treated with Buvidal, accounting for 14% of its 237 clients in total.

Source: Irish Examiner March 17, 2026 06:58 UTC