Written answers

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Department of Health

Addiction Treatment Services

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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365. To ask the Minister for Health when additional funding will be made available to task forces through an emerging needs fund; his strategy in terms of targeting those resources in favour of local needs identified by task forces in line with their key role in implementing the national drugs strategy; the way in which funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7880/19]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health allocated funding of almost €100m to the HSE for addiction services in 2019. The HSE National Service Plan 2019 sets out the type and volume of addiction services to be provided, having regard to the funding allocated.

In addition, the Department provides a further €28m to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces through various channels of funding, including the HSE.

Implementing the health-led national drugs strategy continues to be a Government priority. Task forces have an important role in delivering the strategy at the local level.

Within the limited envelope of resources available for drug and alcohol services in 2019, I am considering options for the provision of additional funding for addiction services and task forces.

I am committed to providing additional resources to enhance service provision under the national drugs strategy. These resources should be directed towards those interventions which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and positive improvement in public health, safety and well-being. 

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