Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2019
386. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the funding from his Department to the Canal Communities Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force by year since 2015; the planned funding for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51380/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities. They ensure that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas.
Task forces have an annual budget of €28m from the Department of Health and the HSE. This funding supports over 280 community projects, in local areas and communities throughout the country, to support initiatives to tackle drug and alcohol use and misuse.
A breakdown of the funding provided by the Department of Health and the HSE to the Canal Communities Drug and Alcohol Task Force for the years 2015 to 2019 is set out in the attached table. In 2019, the Canal Communities received €1.5 million. The planned funding for 2020 will be confirmed when the HSE Service plan for 2020 is published shortly.
Additional funding of €1m was provided for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in 2019. Task forces have been allocated an additional €20,000 each from this funding, €10,000 of which will be on a permanent recurring basis.
A further allocation of €2.28 million over three years will be provided for 12 strategic initiatives to improve access to services for people with complex needs and to respond to emerging trends and patters of substance misuse. Each initiative will receiving €190,000 over the three years. This includes a community alcohol detox project developed by four task forces in CHO 7, including the Canal Communities. The project will develop a best practice model for a community detox framework.
I am committed to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse, to support people who are struggling with addiction and need intervention and support. Working in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary sectors, including the task forces, is central to this response.
|
- |
2015 DOH |
2015 HSE |
2016 DOH |
2016 HSE |
2017 DOH |
2017 HSE |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
|
Total |
€1,479,914 |
€1,479,914 |
€1,479,914 |
|
2018 DOH |
2018 HSE |
2019 DOH |
2019 HSE |
2020 DOH |
2020 HSE |
|
€338,605 |
€1,151,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,161,309 |
€338,605 |
€1,151,309 |
|
€1,489,914 |
€1,499,914 |
€1,489,914 |
Drug and alcohol Task Forces received and additional €10k (once- off) in funding in 2018.
They received €20k in additional funding in 2019. €10k of this was on a one off basis and €10k is on a recurring basis.
