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Substance Misuse

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022

Thursday, 14 July 2022

Questions (783, 784, 785)

Thomas Gould

Question:

783. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for women by year, in tabular form. [39249/22]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

784. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for ethnic minorities by year, in tabular form. [39250/22]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

785. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for members of the LGBTQIA community by year, in tabular form. [39251/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 to 785, inclusive, together.

My Department does not collect data on the allocation of funding in relation to the specific categories requested by the Deputy.

In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding is being used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy.

In December 2021, I announced the Community Services Enhancement Fund, with €2 million to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. The fund is part of the strategic priority to improve access to, and delivery of, services in the community. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme which will enhance community care and move care into the community and closer to people’s homes.

I am aware that women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community can face barriers in accessing drug and alcohol services. In this context, I have ring-fenced twenty-five percent, €.5 million, of the Community Services Enhancement Fund to increase access to and the provision of community based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community.

I am confident that this measure will assist in addressing barriers that some women and minority groups face in accessing drug and alcohol services.

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.

gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €2 million Community Services Enhancement Fund for drug and alcohol services (www.gov.ie)

Question No. 784 answered with Question No. 783.
Question No. 785 answered with Question No. 783.
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