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Health Strategies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Questions (1378, 1497)

Thomas Gould

Question:

1378. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the two places on the National Oversight Committee that have been removed from the community and voluntary sector effectively leaving the regions without any representation at a national level. [63045/21]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1497. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will consider restoring the two places on the national oversight committee that have been removed from the community and voluntary sector effectively leaving the regions without representation at a national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63406/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1378 and 1497 together.

The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for the period 2017-2025. The strategy is dynamic with the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy. It is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory sector, community organisations, voluntary service providers, service users and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery established a National Oversight Committee to give leadership and direction to support implementation of the strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The strategy outlines indicative membership and provides that the final membership is decided upon by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs strategy.

The Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery and this report was published on 17 November, 2021. Arising from the review, I have revised the oversight structures to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025. The newly streamlined oversight committee includes representatives of community and voluntary networks, Drug and Alcohol task forces, government departments, and the HSE. There are also an academic expert and a clinical expert on the committee. The most recent meeting of the committee was attended by three representatives from the community and voluntary sector, representing Citywide, the National Voluntary Drugs and Alcohol Services and Uisce, the service user organisation. It is up to each organisation to choose their own representative, whether the person is from Dublin or from the regions. A fourth position remains vacant, following the unanticipated closure of the organisation referred to by the Deputy and will be filled in due course.

In addition to the representatives of community and voluntary organisations, there are two representatives from the drug and alcohol task forces. One of these representatives attends on behalf of the regions, while the other attends on behalf of localities in Dublin, Cork and Bray.

Strategic Implementation Groups (SIGs) were established to support the implementation of the strategic priorities. These new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. The Department wants to broaden 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. A balance of gender, regional and minority group representation will be a consideration in the establishment of this new entity.

I am committed to the partnership approach and a stronger voice to civil society organisations in developing national policy, including the lived experience of those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. I am happy to encourage regional representation as part of the oversight structures.

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