Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 June 2018
78. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to an increase in funding for local drugs task forces in view of the increase in demand on such services and budget increases to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26082/18]
View answerThe Department of Health secured an additional €6.5 million for drug-related actions in Budget 2018, as a first step in implementing the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. This additional funding is being used to expand the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services and to improve health services for drug-users who are homeless.
Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. The 24 task forces currently receive approximately €28 million in funding per annum from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
An additional €250,000 was provided in Budget 2018 to improve the organisational effectiveness of the task forces in implementing the national drugs strategy. Task forces were recently invited to apply for up to €10,000 in additional funding, on a once-off basis, under this scheme. Their applications are currently being processed by my Department.
I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, the Department of Health will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.
