Mary Lou McDonald
Question:2566. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he plans to review the drug and alcohol task force handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/21]
View answerTuesday, 27 July 2021
Questions (2566, 2567)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:2567. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he plans to pilot the replacement of the drug and alcohol task force handbook chairperson appointment process with one that is led by his Department and the HSE for the purpose of limiting appointments to applicants from the private, business and enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38125/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2566 and 2567 together.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. Action 50 of the strategy commits to ensuring that Task Forces have proper arrangements in place for the selection and renewal of the Chairperson, Members of Task Forces and for having proper procedures in place for addressing conflicts of interest.
The governance and operation of the task forces is set out in a handbook published in 2011. It defines the role of the task forces within the national and local framework required to address the existing and emerging threats from problem drug use. The handbook sets out the following aspects of task force processes:
- Role of the Task Force
- Composition
- Role and Nomination Process of Members
- Supports
- Monitoring/ Evaluation/ Mainstreaming of Projects
The handbook also explains the role of the chairperson of the task force. He/she is appointed by the Task Force for a three-year term. The chairperson is a key figure to the success of the DTF. The chairperson’s independence must clearly be established and evident in the manner in which the business of the task force is conducted. It is important therefore, that the chairperson appointed by the task force is not directly connected with any of the projects being funded by the task force. It is also important that there is complete transparency in the arrangements put in place by task forces for the selection process and appointment of the chairperson. The chairperson’s role is to lead the task force and to facilitate its meetings.
The Department set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. One of the outputs of this group will be a new code of governance for task forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors.
Adherence to the code will require a new regime of governance and documentation for task forces. It is anticipated that task forces will be required to sign up to the Charities Regulator governance code, The code sets minimum standards for the board of a registered charity or limited company to ensure they effectively manage and control their organisations.
I support the development of the new handbook and code of governance. This is an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces. Work to complete the code of governance for task forces has been delayed due to resource constraints. The Department plans to complete this work in 2021.
Question No. 2567 answered with Question No. 2566.