Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1380. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given that the terms of reference for the civil society grouping will be drawn up in consultation with the National Oversight Committee community and voluntary representatives and will be brought to the full National Oversight Committee meeting for agreement. [63048/21]
View answer1498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the terms of reference for the proposed civil society grouping; if he will consider drawing it up in consultation with the national oversight committee community and voluntary representatives and then bringing it back to the full national oversight committee meeting for agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63407/21]
View answer1500. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering whether the terms of reference for the civil society grouping will be drawn up in consultation with the national oversight committee community and voluntary representatives before bringing it back to the full national oversight committee meeting for agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63409/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1380, 1498 and 1500 together.
The Department of Health completed and published the mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery on 17 November, 2021. Based on the learning from the mid-term review, six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 were identified. These priorities strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
The oversight structures have been revised to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025. Strategic implementation groups (SIGs) were established to support the delivery of the strategic priorities and to reinforce cross-agency collaboration. The National Oversight Committee is being streamlined and includes the chairs of the newly established SIGs. The inter-agency approach involving a partnership between statutory, community and voluntary bodies remains central to the strategy, as does strengthening the resilience of communities to respond to the drug problem. I believe that the new structures will strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. I am also providing independent leadership to ensure the accountability of all stakeholders and involving service users to provide insights from the lived experience of drug and alcohol addiction.
Partnership is central to the national drugs strategy and the new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. The Department's intention is to broaden, widen and deepen the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy. The proposal for the establishment of a civil society group on drugs is one component of this, which is under discussion with the sector. The terms of reference, when completed, will be submitted to the NOC.
