Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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930. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any funding which could be available for a drug and alcohol awareness programme run in schools in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54292/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Minister for Public Health, Well-being and National Drug Strategy, Frank Feighan, announced the allocation of €1.5 million for a 3-year drug prevention and education programme in September 2022.

The funding program is a key deliverable under the national drug strategy to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use, and related harm among children and young people. The program fulfils a commitment to the Government Program and aligns with actions in the EU Drugs Action Plan.

This is the first time that national funding has been provided for drug prevention. Drug prevention is a key pillar in our health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, that seeks to reduce the harmful use of drugs and alcohol from an early age.

This initiative will build on local and sectoral initiatives, such as Know the Score, and will draw on evidence from Europe to professionalise and elevate the practice of drug prevention in Ireland. In particular, the programme will promote the European Prevention Curriculum and international prevention standards.

There are 5 funding streams within the programme, including a specific focus on school-based interventions, general youth, family-based interventions, higher education settings and environmental prevention.

The deadline for this call is the 11th of November 2022. Further details and the application form can be found at: gov.ie - Department of Health Prevention and Education Funding Programme (www.gov.ie) 

Minister Feighan invites stakeholders with an interest in drug prevention to submit joint proposals that are evidence-based and informed by population needs. Inter-agency partnership and collaborative working is at the heart of the national drugs strategy. Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces have a good track record in drug prevention. They have an opportunity now to advance their work in collaboration with sectoral bodies such as youth organisations, family services, third level institutions, community action against alcohol initiatives, the HSE and the Department of Education.