Family Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022

Thursday, 31 March 2022

Questions (63)

Thomas Gould

Question:

63. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the establishment of a national family support network. [16960/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Frankie Feighan)

The National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, commits to strengthening services to support families affected by substance misuse. The HSE funds a number of organisations that provide family support services at both local and regional levels. The strategy also recognises the role that families can play in the planning, design and delivery of drug and alcohol services and polices.

The Department is aware of the closure of the National Family Support Network (NFSN). This was a voluntary organisation, made up of local and regional family support networks.

The Department has engaged with local and regional family support networks following the closure of the NFSN and is supportive of their efforts to work together. However, the Department of Health has no role in establishing a national family support network.

I am committed to working with family support networks to implement the national drugs strategy.