Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2021
179. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health when confirmation of funding for 2022 will be given to drug and alcohol task forces; the criteria used for the funding recommendation and the allocation made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59183/21]
View answer180. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the differences between regional drugs and alcohol task forces, for example the way a service can be meeting all the criteria in one task force area and not in another; if the criteria used is the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59184/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
The HSE National Service Plan 2022 will provide details on the allocation of funding to drug and alcohol task forces. It is standard procedure for the allocation of funding notices to be issued following the approval of the national service plan.
In addition, I will shortly announce details of new funding to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. This will include additional funding of €0.5m in Budget 2022 to increase access to and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and LGBTI+. The lived experience of people who use drugs will be central to the design and delivery of the new services, as will the network of drug and alcohol task forces. This funding will be allocation using a population-based resource allocation model, as recommended in the SlainteCare reform programme.
I believe that this additional funding will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use as
set out in the Programme for Government and support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under the national drugs strategy, which I recently announced.
