Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2419. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Drugs Strategy mid-term review; if another consultation process will be opened; and if he will make available any preliminary documentation at this stage. [37760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2420. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if priorities have been determined for the new stage of the National Drugs Strategy. [37761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2421. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the 2020 review of the National Drugs Strategy will be published; and if this will be a separate document to the mid-term review. [37762/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2580. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans to restructure the National Oversight Committee of the National Drug Strategy into a number of sub-groups and to appoint Health Service Executive managers or Department of Health officials to chair each of the sub-groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38143/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2419 to 2421, inclusive, and 2580 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use for the period 2017 to 2025. The strategy provides an integrated health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery. Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery is a dynamic strategy which provides the opportunity for the development of further actions to address needs that may emerge later in the lifetime of the strategy.
The Department has undertaken a mid-term review of the actions in the strategy, in consultation with stakeholders. The review provides an opportunity to reflect on progress in implementing the strategy from 2017 to 2020, progress achieved in the action plan, to identify any new issues that have arisen since the strategy was launched including the impact of Covid-19 and to consider the development of new actions for the remainder of the strategy to address emerging needs and challenges.
The National Oversight Committee gives leadership and direction to support the strategy and provided that the Minister for State with responsibility for the drugs strategy would chair this committee. Regular updates on the mid-term review have been provided to the Committee and a draft report was considered at its most recent meeting. Arrangements are currently being made to submit the review to Government and it is intended to publish it thereafter.
I want to emphasise that there are no proposals in the review to restructure the National Oversight Committee into a number of sub-groups and to appoint Health Service Executive managers or Department of Health officials to chair each of the sub-groups.
