Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1632. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with regional and local drug and alcohol task forces to hear their funding needs ahead of budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18502/21]
View answerDrug and alcohol task forces have a key role in coordinating inter-agency action and supporting evidence-informed approaches to problem substance use. The network of 24 task forces receives €29 million in annual funding from the Department of Health and the HSE. These resources should be directed towards interventions and strategies which are most likely to reduce problem substance use and improve public health.
As committed by the Programme for Government, Budget 2021 allocated an additional €1m for targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces.
The impact of problem drug and alcohol use is a national issue, affecting people from all walks of life. Accordingly, the Department is committed to a population-based approach to allocating resources for drug and alcohol services. This will ensure funding is allocated on an equitable and rational basis in accordance with health and social needs.
The allocation of the additional funding will also be informed by the priorities arising from the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy, which my Department is undertaking in conjunction with stakeholders.
I value the contribution of drug and alcohol task forces in responding to drug and alcohol use in local communities and in supporting targeted initiatives. The allocation of resources for task forces is decided on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process. As last year. I will engage with task forces to inform this process.
