Thomas Gould
Ceist:2790. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health his plans to recognise and support persons in recovery from addiction. [39163/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 July 2021
Ceisteanna (2790)
Freagraí scríofa
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 public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.
The strategy commits to supporting people with substance misuse issues on their journey to recovery.
A number of important measures have been introduced to improve access to drug and alcohol services. In 2020 these measures included;
(a) the recruitment of four drug and alcohol liaison midwives to support pregnant women,
(b) the commencement of a residential treatment services for women with children in the mid-west and south regions, and
(c) the commencement of a community-based alcohol treatment service in Galway.
The full year costs of implementing these measures are €2.1m in 2021.
I announced new funding of €4.1m for the following drug and alcohol services in Budget 2021:
- €1m to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives through the network of drug and alcohol task forces. The allocation of this funding will be Informed by the outcome of the midterm review of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, and emerging trends and priorities.
- €2m to increase residential treatment services for people with severe drug and alcohol dependency across the country, including a step-up stabilisation facility in CHOs Cork/Kerry, Mid-West and South East and a low threshold programme in Dublin North East Inner City
- €700,000 to expand community and family support services, including initiatives in Donegal/Leitrim/Sligo, Louth/Meath, Cork/Kerry, and Dublin North Inner City
- €400,000 for harm reduction initiatives, including pilot drug monitoring at festivals and the night-time economy, expanded access to the drugs and alcohol helpline and increased provision of naloxone
A further €4.2 million will be provided in 2021 for the continued treatment of an additional 700 clients on opioid substitution treatment (OST), who were given access to OST in 2020 under the Covid-19 contingency plan for people who use drugs.
Question No. 2791 answered with Question No. 2785.