Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Department of Health

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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717. To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding will be made available to a group (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the group in respect of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45603/18]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Over €27.85m has been allocated to Task Forces by the HSE and the Department of Health for community-based drugs initiatives this year. This included an additional €540,000 in one off funding to the Task Forces to support implementation of the national drugs strategy. In addition, Task Forces are being consulted by the HSE on the provision of €710,000 in one off funding for priority projects and services in CHO areas.

It is expected that Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will be notified of their 2019 funding allocations as soon as the HSE National Service Plan for 2019 has been submitted and approved by the Minister for Health.

Implementing the health-led national drugs strategy continues to be a Government priority. Within the increased envelope of resources available in Budget 2019 for health services, my intention is to prioritise funding for community drug and alcohol projects in Task Force areas of greatest need, additional drug and alcohol midwives working with vulnerable mothers-to-be and enhanced treatment services to address existing and emerging needs.

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