Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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656. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 9 November 2021, the model of care, clinical pathways or guidelines the national clinical programme plans to create to address as per its remit (details supplied) given that insulin pump uptake is extremely low with only 15 of the 31 acute diabetes services providing insulin pump initiation and-or follow-up to patients using insulin pumps and the fact that diabetes teams need specialist training. [57447/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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657. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 655 of 16 November 2021, his plans to carry out or commission a national audit to determine the number of stroke survivors in Ireland particularly in view of the fact that the most recent estimation of this kind was undertaken in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57454/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce drug misuse in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56743/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is the Government roadmap for a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. The strategy is underpinned by an integrated whole-of-Government approach to resolving the drug problem based on a partnership approach between the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.

The recently published mid-term review of the strategy shows significant progress in implementing the action plan for the period 2017 to 2020, with only a small number of the 50 actions outstanding. Access to and availability of drug services has improved, especially services for women, people who are homeless and those with heroin addiction. There is a new clinical programme for dual diagnosis and the Government is championing an alternative health-led approach for the possession of drugs for personal use.

The mid-term review also looked at the effectiveness of government expenditure on the national drugs strategy, based on key indicators. It estimates the significant costs for society of drug use for the criminal justice system and the economy.

Six strategic priorities have been identified for the remaining years of the strategy until 2025. These will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use, as set out in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.The six strategic priorities for 2021-2025 are:

- strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people;

- enhance access and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community,

- develop harm reduction responses and integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users,

- address the social determinants and consequences of drugs use in disadvantaged communities:

- promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences: and

- strengthen evidence-informed and outcomes-focused practice, services, policies and strategy implementation.

New oversight structures will drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025, strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. I am also providing independent leadership to ensure the accountability of all stakeholders and involving service users to provide insights from the lived experience of drug and alcohol addiction.

To support the implementation of the strategic priorities, I secured additional funding of €6m for new health measures in Budget 2022. I have released details on these measures in a factsheet, which is available HERE

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