Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Central Bank of Ireland (the “Central Bank”) is responsible for the authorisation of and has primary responsibility for the prudential supervision and regulation of insurance and reinsurance undertakings in Ireland. The Department of Health has no statutory responsibility for the regulation of community insurance or of the price charged by insurance companies in Ireland.

My Department has introduced two initiatives this year to ease the impact of the cost of living and inflationary costs on services.

In February this year one off funding was announced for providers of health related community and voluntary services. Most drug and alcohol projects were awarded a one off 3.5% increase or a minimum of €1000. Further information on the scheme and the list of organisations benefitting is in the link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4fd65-health-ministers-announce-81m-in-once-off-funding-for-voluntary-and-community-providers/

In August, I announced €3.5 million in recurring funding to support existing levels of services provided by community and voluntary organisations, including community-based drugs services. This funding is being distributed by CHOs based on guidance issued by the Department of Health. An allocation of €445,000 was made to CHO 7, which covers Dublin south west.

Minister Naughton announces additional annual funding of €3.5 million for drugs and inclusion health services:

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5d2c8-minister-naughton-announces-additional-annual-funding-of-3-5-million-for-drugs-and-inclusion-health-services/

The funding recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services. Priority will be given to services which are experiencing increased demand and have not received additional funding in recent years, in order to ensure maximum positive impact.

I would encourage community-based drug services who are facing increased costs to engage with their regional CHO, who are responsible for funding these services via grant or service level arrangements.