Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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308. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to cut funding for addiction services in counties Kildare and west Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38406/16]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Reflecting the Government's commitment to a health-led response to drug use, an additional €3m in funding has been provided in the 2017 budget to increase support for interventions aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction.

In relation to Kildare and West Wicklow, the Department of Health has provided Drugs Initiative funding of €102,820 to the South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force this year. A further €696,497 has been provided to the Task Force by the HSE in 2016, giving a total of €799,317 for the year. This is the same level of funding provided from both sources in 2014 and 2015 and will be maintained at this level in 2017.

I have asked the HSE to investigate the position in relation to the provision of funding for addiction services more generally in Kildare and west Wicklow and to reply to the Deputy directly.