Written answers

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Department of Health

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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762. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing a dual diagnosis team to consist of a substance misuse counsellor and psychiatric nurse in each drug and alcohol service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24040/21]

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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763. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing cross sectoral training for dual diagnosis for all existing staff in each drug and alcohol service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24041/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 762 and 763 together.

Improving outcomes for people with co-morbid severe mental illness and substance misuse problems is an action in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery.

Sharing the Vision, the Government’s mental health strategy, recognises that an individual with an addiction has a right to access relevant mental health supports within primary care. The Health Service Executive has set up a National Clinical Programme for Dual Diagnosis, to support patients who have mental illness and substance misuse issues. This clinical programme aims to provide a comprehensive model of care based on the need for integrated services across primary care and specialist mental health services.

My colleague, Minister Butler, secured an additional €50 million in Budget 2021 for mental health services, bringing the total 2021 mental health budget to €1.114 billion. This emphasises the Government’s continued commitment to mental health and the priority it deserves in these unsettling times.

The additional allocation includes €23 million to commence implementation of many of the short-term recommendations in Sharing the Vision, including expansion of clinical care for dual diagnosis.

€1m is allocated to Dual Diagnosis in 2021 funding. This €1m is currently held by the Department of Health and it is anticipated that this funding will be issued to the HSE once the draft Model of Care has been finalised and the pilot sites for the programme have been identified.

I understand from the HSE that the Model of Care being developed by the National Clinical Programme for Dual Diagnosis is expected to provide recommendations in relation to dual diagnosis training requirements for existing staff, and the multidisciplinary team members required for the Specialist Dual Diagnosis Team. Once approved, the funding associated with the Dual Diagnosis Model of Care will be submitted for the consideration of the Department of Health as part of the Estimates process. Officials are in close contact with the Executive in relation to progress on the draft Model of Care.

I recognise the link between drug addiction and mental health. In order to strengthen collaboration between addiction services and mental health services, I have nominated a representative of the national oversight committee for the national drugs strategy to the implementation and monitoring arrangements for Sharing the Vision.

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