Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge, as both Deputies said, that there has been a shortfall in funding for the task forces over the years. We are all very clear as to what happened in recent years with funding. We have €1 million. We have started to meet those involved in the services. We have met the co-ordinators and the chairpersons. We are developing a three-strand model for the recently-announced funding of €1 million. Strand 2 on this funding was 12 strategic health initiatives. Task forces can include in this, health initiatives on early warning for alcohol and cocaine abuse, and getting into the heart of communities, particularly with young people. Each community healthcare organisation, CHO, has a number of task forces. Each initiative will receive €190,000 over 36 months with €40,000 in 2019, €60,000 in 2020 and €30,000 in 2022.

In recent weeks the Department and the HSE have organised four workshops for task forces and CHOs on the application process for the strand 2 funding with workshops in Dublin, Cork and Carrick-on-Shannon. The deadline for applications is 29 July. There is plenty of time for task forces. This was not just announced last week. It was announced a couple of months ago that this money was coming on stream. I have been meeting and speaking to co-ordinators and chairpersons. As they work on the ground, they are fully aware of the needs in communities. I am sure there will be plenty of applications outlining what they will do with the funding.

It is my intention to approve all the allocations of this additional funding by the end of August and I am committed to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse with the twin aims of reducing harm and supporting recovery. Working in partnership with the task forces and the HSE, I am confident that the allocation of the additional resources in 2019 will make a significant contribution to achieving this objective.

As in previous years I will engage with the 2020 Estimates process in my Department to ensure that additional resources are to be implemented in key actions in the national drugs strategy.

The mid-west task force was allocated €1,497,989 and will shortly receive the previously mentioned additional €20,000 for 2019. I understand the frustration on the ground over the allocation and retention of staff. I have also spoken to the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, about it.

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