National Drugs Strategy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Ceisteanna (590, 593)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

590. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of times the oversight forum on drugs has met in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26612/16]

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

593. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the attendance records of representatives of the education awareness prevention pillars at meetings held under the national drug strategy from 2008 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26615/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 593 together.

I have overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which addresses the issue of problem drug use through five inter-connected pillars dealing with supply reduction, prevention (including education & awareness), treatment, rehabilitation and research.

The Oversight Forum on Drugs (OFD) which I chair, is responsible for the high-level monitoring of progress being achieved across the Strategy and meets on a quarterly basis. The OFD met on 20 occasions between 2011 and 2015. The Forum has met twice so far in 2016 and the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 7 October.

I have asked the Department of Health to provide the Deputy with the attendance records of representatives of the prevention pillar at meetings of the national structures held under the current National Drugs Strategy.