Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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As previously advised to the Deputy, the Department of Health continues to provide €2.249m per annum to community-based drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NICDAFT). No funding has been withheld.

The City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB), and the HSE (CHO Dublin North City and County) act as channels of funding for the administration of this funding to front line drug and alcohol projects. CDYSB administer in the region of €394,856 to four front line drug and alcohol projects in NIC on behalf of the Department of Health. The HSE acts as a channel of funding for the distribution and oversight of €2.025m in funding to services in the NIC.

The Department asked the HSE and the CDYSB to provide reassurance to the frontline services that funding continues to be provided in 2022. In this regard, the Department understands that HSE has met with each of the funded organisations as part of the annual Service Level/Grant Aid Agreement process.

In 2021, the HSE allocated €244,473 for office programmes and resources associated with the NICDATF task force. As the task force is currently not functioning, there are no activities that require funding.

The HSE holds a Service Level Arrangement (SLA) with the company for the delivery of these activities. The Department understands that the HSE met with the directors of the limited company that previously managed this funding on behalf of the task force, on 13th January and again on 10th March. It was mutually agreed that a work plan could not be developed while the task forces is not functioning. The HSE is now engaged with local services with a view to re-allocating the funding in 2022.

I am committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with the HSE, community-based service providers, the NEIC Initiative, and other stakeholders. I have provided significant additional resources in Budget 2022 and again in Budget 2023 to expand services in the north inner city.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, commits to strengthening services to support families affected by substance misuse.

It is a priority for the remaining period of the strategy to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use and the associated harms among children, young people and families.

The HSE funds a number of organisations that provide family support services at both local and regional levels.

The Department is aware of the closure of the National Family Support Network (NFSN). This was a voluntary organisation, made up of local and regional family support networks.

The Department has engaged with local and regional family support networks following the closure of the NFSN

I believe that family support services have an important role to play in the implementation the national drugs strategy and I am supportive of their efforts to work together both regionally and nationally.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Minister Donnelly and I engage in an ongoing basis on the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, and the 6 Strategic Priorities for the remaining period of the Strategy. These new priorities will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use, as agreed in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.

The six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy 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.

In Budget 2023, Minister Donnelly and I agreed an allocation of €4million for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy and an additional €3.5million for community and voluntary providers to maintain existing levels of services. More details can be found in the following factsheet. assets.gov.ie/236015/722496be-5cbe-4951-ba98-d27833a813af.pdf

Minister Donnelly and I continue to work closely together to progress the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.