John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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413. To ask the Minister for Health when additional funding (details supplied) will be allocated; if it can be allocated as an increase to core funding to support existing projects and programmes and to meet emerging needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9611/19]

Catherine 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 wellbeing.

I will shortly be engaging with the task forces to outline my plans for additional funding for community initiatives to tackle the misuse of drugs and alcohol.