John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2808. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider an approach of multi-annual funding commitments for those working within addiction services to allow for more sustainable planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42184/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department provides in the region of €28m in funding to community drug and alcohol projects under the ambit of drug and alcohol task forces on a recurring basis.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2809. To ask the Minister for Health the measures her Department is taking to address the increase in crack cocaine addiction in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42189/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2022 and 2023 the Department of Health provided €1.35m in recurring funding for a HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms associated with the use of cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. The funding supported models of best practice in cocaine treatment, including the development of training programmes for addiction service staff nationally. It also established targeted interventions in disadvantaged communities worst affected by cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. These initiatives led to the establishment and enhancement of services in all nine HSE Community Healthcare Organisations across Ireland. www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-850000-for-hse-led-initiative-to-reduce-the-health-related-harms-from-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine/.

Cocaine services in Wicklow is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.