Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
876. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if details will be provided on active addiction support services and the funding allocated to each in 2019 and 2020, and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [9861/21]
View answerExpenditure by the HSE on drug and alcohol services has increased from €94 million in 2016 to over €103 million in 2019. This funding is used by the HSE to deliver a wide range of services, including early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation. I have asked the executive to provide details of the funding it allocated to addiction support services in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and reply directly to the Deputy.
In addition, the Department provides €28 million to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to provide community-based drug and alcohol services in local communities. The task forces support over 280 community projects throughout the country to tackle drug and alcohol use and misuse. A table outlining the funding provided to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for 2018, 2019 and 2020 is attached.
Additional funding of €1m will be provided for targeted initiatives addressing drug and alcohol use in 2021. The allocation of this funding will be Informed by the outcome of the midterm review of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, and emerging trends and priorities.
I will announce details of the new €1m funding in due course.
