Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
547. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide full clarity on the very welcome €445,000 awarded to CHO8 for drugs and inclusion health services announced in August 2023; to seek the details on how the funds will be distributed to key frontline drug addiction organisations who are facing very difficult winter periods in terms of funding shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41164/23]
View answerI recently announced €3.5 million in annual funding to maintain existing level of drugs and inclusion health services provided by community and voluntary organisations. The funding is recurring.The funding recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services.I have allocated €445,000 per annum to CHO 8 in line with a population-based resource allocation model, to support existing services to meet the health needs of socially excluded groups, such as people who use drugs and people who are homeless.A strategic approach will be adopted in the use of this funding, to ensure tangible and quantifiable health benefits for service users and to support sustainable improvements in service provision. Priority will be given to services which are experiencing increased demand and have not received additional funding in recent years, in order to ensure maximum positive impact.It is envisaged that the funding will be distributed in Q4 2023.
I have asked the HSE to reply to your query on the details on how the funds will be distributed to key frontline drug addiction organisations in CHO 8.
