Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

From my point of view, and from the Government's perspective, of course the Minister of State takes this issue very seriously. The Minister of State visited Dundalk and the north east yesterday to hear about drug related issues in the area and the impact on families. The Minister of State is aware that key State agencies, led by the local authority and involving the Garda, the HSE, the Irish Probation Service, Tusla, education and training boards and the north-east regional drug and alcohol task force are working together on ways to address this important issue.

The Minister of State understands that the HSE has appointed a senior counsellor with the priority of developing and supporting counselling services in Drogheda. The Minister of State also welcomes the HSE’s commitment to recruit an additional outreach worker in Drogheda to enhance its existing service. The Minister of State is pleased that the north-east regional drug and alcohol task force has offered to assist with access to support for people in addiction to the community-based addiction support services at the Red Door and elsewhere in the HSE.

In March 2019, the Minister of State announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of the strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025. The Minister of State will shortly notify all task forces regarding the allocation of this additional funding, including information on the guiding principles and the application process. The north-east task force will be able to apply for additional funding under this initiative. The Minister of State would point out that the introduction of measures to address drug related activity in the Drogheda area primarily come within the remit of our colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality in the first instance.

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