Thomas Gould
Ceist:240. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the role of the taskforce coordinator. [56359/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 November 2021
Ceisteanna (240)
Freagraí scríofa
The Drug and Alcohol Task Force Handbook sets out the role of the task force coordinator.
The coordinator plays a key role in assisting the task force with developing and implementing its drug strategy. This necessitates taking a proactive role in driving the work of the task force. The coordinator is responsible for ensuring the task force acts in accordance with the Terms of Reference of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. This involves:
- Co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in the context of the needs of the region/local area.
- Implementing the actions in the National Drugs Strategy where Task Forces have been assigned a role.
- Promoting the implementation of evidence-based local/regional drug and alcohol strategies and to exchange best practice.
- Supporting and strengthening community based responses to drug and alcohol misuse.
- Maintaining an up-to-date overview on the nature and extent of drug and alcohol misuse in the area/region.
- Identifying and reporting on emerging issues and advocating for the development of policies or actions needed to address them.
- Monitoring, evaluating and assessing the impact of the funded projects and their continued relevance to the local/regional drugs task force strategy.
Task forces have an operational plan that identifies priorities and actions required to best serve the community/area they represent. The role and duties of the coordinator may vary depending on the objectives of the operational plan, as well as the range and volume of drug and alcohol projects they are involved with.
For more detailed information on the role of the task fore coordinator, see www.drugsandalcohol.ie/16412/. The handbook is currently being revised.