Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the work of the working group on alternative sanctions for drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38922/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government established a Working Group to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use in December 2017. The formation of this group was a key action in the National Drugs Strategy ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’.

The Working Group’s report and the Chair’s minority report can be read at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Working_Group_to_Consider_Alternative_Approaches_to_the_Possession_of_Drugs_for_Personal_Use.

As the Deputy will appreciate, Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne TD have responsibility for progressing the recommendations made in the report of the Working Group.

I understand that an implementation group comprising of key agencies will be established in the next month.