Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a €1 million national fund will be made available through the drug policy unit in his Department; if the addiction services and local drugs task force in Drogheda will be in a position to apply for this funding stream at a time when it is providing critical work during a major drugs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6467/19]
View answerThe Department of Health allocated funding of almost €100m to the HSE for addiction services in 2019. The HSE National Service Plan 2019 sets out the type and volume of addiction services to be provided, having regard to the funding allocated.
In addition, the Department provides a further €28m to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces through various channels of funding, including the HSE.
Implementing the health-led national drugs strategy continues to be a Government priority. Task forces have an important role in delivering the strategy at the local level.
Within the limited envelope of resources available for drug and alcohol services in 2019, I am considering options for the provision of additional funding for addiction services and task forces.
I am committed to providing additional resources to enhance service provision under the national drugs strategy. These resources should be directed towards those interventions which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and positive improvement in public health, safety and wellbeing.
