The country’s first supervised drug injection facility has been granted temporary permission.

The facility, which will be located in Merchants Quay for 18 months, will be subject to review after that period. The review to be undertaken will assess the impact on the local area, school, residents, economy and tourism.

This is the second time that plans for the facility have been reviewed by An Bord Pleanála following their initial decision to grant permission was quashed in 2021 following being challenged by St Audoen’s National school on Cook Street.

An appeal subsequently submitted was successful, citing the estimation that two people in Ireland die each day from a drug-related cause.

The initial consideration of the appeal saw 52 submissions on behalf of local residents, businesses and other such community interests.

Concerns outlined in submissions included a potential increase drug-dealing, public order issues, anti-social behaviour, that would accompany damage to tourism.

However, the charity claims the fixed facility will provide users a safe, clean environment in which they will have access to medical and speciality services.

The Department of Education has said that, “It’s clear there is a particular problem with street injecting in the city centre, with an estimated 400 users injecting in the public domain.”

In the report, the inspector also commented: “I am satisfied the proposed facility would be in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of both users and the wider public."

“I also find it reasonable to conclude there would be an associated reduction in drug litter and anti-social/criminal behaviour," the report continued.

“On this basis, the proposal would positively impact on the existing drug-use problem, resulting in an enhanced public amenity for the wider community, including the local school, residents, and businesses,” it added.

The injection centre will have seven injecting booths, alongside staff space and an after-care area, operating three sessions per day, Monday to Friday, and two sessions on the weekend.

According to the inspector’s report, these operating hours are designed to take into account school start and finish times, in an effort to reduce the exposure level for pupils.

A survey has estimated that 60 to 100 people would use the facility each day, with the busiest times predicted to be before 9am and after 8pm.

At least 21 injections per hour is expected, with a maximum stay of 20 minutes for each user at any booth.

Merchants Quay Ireland has expressed hope that the initiative would result in a safer area for the entire community.

The decision to green light the facility follows the enactment of the Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act 2017, which provides permission for the licensing of a medically supervised injecting facility.