Thomas Gould
Question:454. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding to be given to each of the local and regional drug and alcohol taskforces in 2023, in tabular form. [50987/22]
View answerThursday, 13 October 2022
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Written answers
It is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 to enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community. This priority seeks to provide health and social care services at the community level to meet identified health needs for people who use drugs. In line with this priority, I established a €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services - the Community Services Enhancement Fund (CSEF), in 2022.
The Department of Health provides €28 million in recurring funding for 280 community-based drug and alcohol services annually. In 2019, additional funding of €1m was provided for drug and alcohol task forces, including €240,000 on a recurring basis for core budgets.
In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drugs strategy and inclusion health. This includes €3.5m for community and voluntary providers of drug and alcohol services and inclusion health services to maintain existing level of service. This will deliver a substantial uplift in grant agreements with service providers to cover cost of living and operational cost increases. Details of the additional funding secured in Budget 2023 are outlined in the attached factsheet.
Details of the additional funding for community-based drug and alcohol services in 2023, including those supported by drug and alcohol taskforces, will be finalised in the coming months, in conjunction with the HSE and other channels of funding.
I am committed to strengthening the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and by promoting rehabilitation and recovery.