The government's backed plans for medically supervised injection facilities for drug users.

The proposal has been added to the Misuse of Drugs Bill which is to be published next year.

It's understood a pilot facility would be created in Dublin for chronic drug users.

Minister of State with responsibility for Drug Strategy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin proposed the measure.

The minister said: “These  facilities  can  help  in  harm reduction and alleviate some of the complex  needs of a vulnerable and hard to reach group of addicts. They are not  the  only  solution  to  addressing  drug  addiction  but  will play a significant role in reducing street injecting and drug related deaths."