Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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534. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the funding for family support networks committed to in budget 2021. [62550/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, recognises the role of families affected by drug use in contributing to the planning, design and delivery of effective addiction services.

In Budget 2021, I secured €280,000 in additional funding to support family services. This funding will be used to develop and broaden the range of peer-led, mutual aid and family support programmes in accordance with best practice, in line with goal 4 of the National Drugs Strategy.

The development of family support services is listed as a drug and alcohol priority in the HSE National Service Plan for 2021. It is intended that the HSE will develop coordinated family support programmes in the following four areas this year:

- Dublin North Inner City

- Cork/Kerry

- Louth and Meath

- Donegal

Each initiative will be allocated €70,000. I am happy to report that the funding allocated for these services has been drawn down by the HSE. A commissioning process for family support services in each of the four areas has either concluded or is currently being finalised.