Plans for Ireland's first medically supervised injecting centre have been delayed again.
Dublin City Council has given Merchants Quay Ireland an extension for submission of further information regarding the pilot project until early September.
It had been originally been hoped that the country's first supervised injecting facility would be in operation by the end of 2017.
However, it has faced a series of delays since the Oireachtas approved the necessary legislation in May 2017.
Merchants Quay was chosen as the preferred location for a pilot injection centre in February 2018.
The charity already offers a number of services including a needle exchange, medical help and counselling.
Last year, it was confirmed that Dublin City Council had asked for further information about the facility before deciding whether to grant permission for it go ahead.
Merchants Quay has now been given additional time to submit the information.
In a statement, Merchants Quay Ireland today said it is frustrated with the delay to the facility's opening, and they hope to have it opened as early as possible.
MQI statement regarding the Medically Supervised Injecting Facility #SIFsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/XjwZ9cWsjM
— Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) (@MerchantsQuayIR) May 9, 2019
There have been a number of objections raised to the planned facility - including from pupils from a school near the planned facility.
Officials, meanwhile, hope the injection centre will provide a safe and clean setting for vulnerable drug users, while also reducing the number of people injecting drugs in public places.
The Government has insisted that possession of controlled drugs will remain an offence outside the injecting facilities – while possession for sale or supply will remain an offence both inside and outside.
