John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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668. To ask the Minister for Health his strategy for the local and regional drug task forces to prevent more young persons entering a life of crime in view of the recent gangland killings in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24136/19]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol misuse is set out in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025.

The Strategy represents a whole-of-government response to the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The strategy draws upon a range of government policy frameworks in order to reduce the risk factors for substance misuse. It also commits to address the harms of drug markets and reduce access to drugs for harmful use.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities and in ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas. They work in partnership with public bodies, service providers, the Gardaí and the local community.

The Department of Health provides in the region of €28 million to task forces annually.

In March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. This funding, which will be provided on a recurring, multi-annual basis, will address the priorities set down in the strategy including responses to emerging trends in substance misuse, and improving services for groups with complex needs.

I strongly support the efforts of the my colleague, the Minister for Justice, the Gardaí and other law enforcement authorities to prevent, disrupt and reduce the drug-related activities of criminal groups.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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669. To ask the Minister for Health the additional funding being allocated to task forces in 2019 for each local and regional drugs and alcohol task force, in tabular form; the purpose of the additional funding; if this is one-off funding; if it is proposed to become core annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/19]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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670. To ask the Minister for Health the funding being allocated as core funding to each local and regional drugs and alcohol task force for 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24142/19]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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671. To ask the Minister for Health if further funding is to be allocated to drugs and alcohol local and regional task forces; the purpose and amount of additional funding; the timing and criteria for its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/19]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 to 671, inclusive, together.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will be allocated in the region of €28 million in funding for 2019. A table outlining the core funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in 2019 is attached.

On 6th March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy; "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery". This funding, which will be provided on a recurring, multi-annual basis, will address the priorities set down in the Strategy including early harm reduction responses, emerging trends in substance misuse, and improving services for at-risk groups.

Following consideration of the outcome of a consultation process with Task Forces and the HSE, I approved a three-strand funding model for this additional funding. Task Forces were notified of this funding model on 18 May.

Strand 1 of the funding model will allocate €20,000 to each Task Force in 2019. In addition, €10,000 will be provided on a recurring annual basis from 2020 onwards and will increase core funding by that amount. This additional funding can be used to enhance local drug and alcohol services.

Strand 2 will fund 12 strategic health initiatives on a regional basis, for a total of €190,000 over three years, with €40,000 in 2019, €60,000 in 2020 and 2021, and €30,000 in 2022 (on a half-year basis).

Task Forces and CHOs will be required to work together to develop proposals for funding. There will be a minimum of one strategic initiative per CHO. Two strategic initiatives will be funded in CHOs 7 and 9 where there are multiple Task Forces. The remaining initiative will be allocated to the next best quality application. The selection of the strategic initiatives will be based on a number of guiding principles, with a particular focus on actions which address emerging trends and patterns of drug use and improve drug and alcohol services for people with complex needs.

Strand 3 will provide funding for a national awareness campaign on the drug-related violence and intimidation reporting programme. The total allocation will be €140,000 over three years (€40,000 in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and €20,000 for six months activity in 2022).

A breakdown of the overall allocation of additional expenditure for the period 2019- 2022 is also attached.

The additional funding reflects the Government's commitment to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse. I look forward to working in partnership with task forces, CHOs and other organisations to achieve the maximum impact from the additional resources.

Core funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task forces in 2019

Allocation of additional expenditure for the period 2019-2022