Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
67. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the organisations that are now providing services previously provided by the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force given his that Department has suspended the activities of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/22]
View answerThe Department of Health provides €2.249m per annum to community-based drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force. The City of Dublin Youth Services Board, and the HSE act as channels of funding for the administration of this funding to front line drug and alcohol projects. The Dept of Health has not suspended funding to any organisation providing drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.
The task force has informed local services that it is no longer in a position to function. The Department has asked the HSE (CHO Dublin North City and County) and the City of Dublin Youth Services Board, to provide reassurance to the frontline services that funding will continue in 2022.
I understand that the HSE has met with each of the funded organisations over the past three weeks as part of the annual Service Level/Grant Aid Agreement process and has not been made aware of any reduction, interruption in or impact to service delivery.
I understand that the HSE met with the company associated with the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force on 13th January in relation to service delivery issues, including the parameters of funding in 2022 that could be provided to the company. I would advise the company to engage directly with the HSE to discuss its proposed programme of drug and alcohol activities in 2022.
