Written Answers Nos. 1363-1379
1363. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health when legislation to amend the provisions of the nursing home support scheme to exempt rental income as set out in the Housing for All plan is expected to be put forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63008/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1557. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an issue in relation to the rental income earned through renting the home of an elderly person in long-term residential care will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63596/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1363 and 1557 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July, introduced further safeguards into the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a resident is in long-term care. This addresses the first relevant commitment in the Housing for All Strategy (action 19.7). This removed a disincentive against the sale of properties that might otherwise remain vacant.
As well as introducing the change above, the Department of Health has also agreed to action 19.8 in the Housing for All Strategy to develop a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties "in a way that is targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people". It is important to note that complex policy questions remain in meeting these criteria and there are high risks associated with unintended consequences.
The NHSS is a complex €1.4 billion Scheme that relies on €350m of contributions from over 22,000 residents. It is important to ensure that the costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of any policy changes are fully understood and resolved before they are put in place. There is no existing exemption of rental or similar income from assessment within the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and due care needs to be taken to ensure that any future changes are appropriate; to protect and meet the needs of residents while also making provision for those in need of housing.
The Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other government departments continue to collaborate on this policy, including the identification of the number of houses that may be brought into use and the costs associated with the policy options available to address this action, with a view to introducing legislation as soon as possible once this analysis and policy development is complete.
1364. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be made available in Ireland; the steps he will take to make the vaccine available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63028/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee makes recommendations to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis. Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland. There are currently four COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use in Ireland.
While a person can refuse any offer of vaccination on religious, conscientious or other grounds, provision of one or other authorised COVID-19 vaccine(s) during the immunisation programme will be based on clinical expert guidance, including from the NIAC, to ensure the optimal stewardship of scare resources and equitable access to safe and effective vaccine(s) for a given population.
It is recommended that an individual accept a COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered. It is not intended that a choice of vaccine will be provided.
Further information on COVID-19 vaccines can be found here:
www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/
1365. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reason a group (details supplied) is not included as part of the membership in relation to the National Oversight Committee to drive the implementation of the national drugs strategy for 2021 to 2025 in which five medically trained personnel were invited to sit on the committee; the criteria he utilised to ascertain suitability for membership; the process that was used to select medical representatives; if the process was communicated to previous and or prospective members of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1381. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason the nursing group were not invited given that five medically trained personnel were invited to sit on the National Oversight Committee when it had specifically requested to remain on the committee; the criteria that was utilised to ascertain suitability for membership; the way the transparency was applied; if members were informed of the criteria; and if clinical balance was taken into consideration. [63049/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1501. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the nursing group was not invited when it had specifically asked to remain on the national oversight committee on which five medically-trained personnel were invited to sit; the criteria he utilised to ascertain suitability for membership; if this process was transparent; if it was clearly explained to previous members; if clinical balance was taken into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63410/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1874. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason that addiction nurses were removed from the National Oversight Committee on the National Drugs Strategy. [2184/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1365, 1381, 1501 and 1874 together.
The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for the period 2017-2025. The strategy is dynamic with the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy. It is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory sector, community organisations, voluntary service providers, service users and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery established a National Oversight Committee to give leadership and direction to support implementation of the strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The strategy outlines indicative membership and provides that the final membership is decided upon by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs strategy.
The Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery and this report was published on 17 November, 2021. Arising from the mid-term review, six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 were identified. These priorities strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
I have revised the oversight structures to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025, following consultation with the national oversight committee in September 2021. Strategic Implementation Groups (SIGs) will be established to support the implementation of the strategic priorities, under the auspices of the national oversight committee. I have recently appointed independent chairs for these SIGs, based on their individual expertise in specific policy issues and their leadership skills. These individuals come from a diversity of backgrounds, including local development, health services, public administration, the legal system and academia.
The chairs of the SIGs are members of a streamlined National Oversight Committee, along with representatives of government departments, drug and alcohol task forces and community and voluntary organisations. I have appointed two Ministerial nominees, an academic expert and a clinical expert to the committee. These individuals were selected on the basis of their national and international expertise on drug policy. Neither was appointed in a representative capacity of any medical or other organisation.
The inter-agency approach involving a partnership between statutory, community and voluntary bodies remains central to the strategy, as does strengthening the resilience of communities to respond to the drug problem.
Partnership is central to the national drugs strategy and the new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. The Department wants to broaden and deepen the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy. The proposal for the establishment of a civil society group on drugs is one component of this, which is under discussion with the sector.
I wish to acknowledge the ongoing contribution made by the organisation referred to by the Deputy to the national drugs strategy and I welcome their continuing involvement in the implementation of the strategy through the new strategic implementation groups, under the auspices of the national oversight committee. I have also invited the organisation to meet with me to discuss their concerns.
1366. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health when he will be announcing the date for the citizens' assembly on drugs which the Government has committed to holding in 2022. [63033/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration is being given to the appropriate methodology for future citizens' assemblies, including one on drugs use. Decisions will be guided by the experience of the Gender Equality Assembly which completed earlier this year. An independent researcher was appointed by the Assembly to monitor and record, amongst other things, the perceived deliberative quality of the Assembly. This report, published in July 2021, will assist in decisions on future Assemblies use of virtual meetings.
By their very nature, citizens assemblies require large gatherings to be truly effective. Therefore, there has been an unavoidable delay in the establishment of the next citizens' assembly due to public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health continues to liaise with the Department of the Taoiseach on the timing and format of the proposed citizen assembly on drug use. It is envisaged that the remaining citizen assembly, including the citizen assembly on drug use, will be established after the Dublin mayor citizens' assembly has completed its work. The specific timing of each assembly has yet to be confirmed.
The Department of Health's approach to the citizen assembly on drugs use will be informed by the Government's health-led approach to people who use drugs, as outlined in the national drugs strategy. An important component of the health-led approach is the Health Diversion Programme. The Health Diversion Programme offers compassion, not punishment, to people who use drugs and connects them with health services and provides a pathway to recovery, thereby avoiding a criminal conviction. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the programme will be reviewed after the first full year of implementation to ensure that it is meeting all of it aims and to make any necessary changes. This review could usefully inform the deliberations of the citizen's assembly on drug use.
A strategic priority for the implementation of the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 is to promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences. This will include the exchange of best practice with EU member states, as part of the EU Drugs Strategy 2021 – 2025.
I believe that a citizen's assembly could usefully consider the learnings from the health diversion programme and other similar alternatives to coercive sanctions. It could also inform the development of the next national drugs strategy, to replace the existing strategy in 2025.
1367. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the timetable for the delivery of a budgetary commitment to provide €0.5 million to address high-risk drug use such as crack cocaine and other drugs; and when the funding will be available to services on the ground and commit to full consultation with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63034/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1368. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the timetable for the delivery of a commitment given in Budget 2022 to provide €1.7 million for measures to increase the availability of HSE drug and alcohol services on a nationwide basis; the funding to include services for persons with alcohol addiction, persons under 18 years of age, families affected by drugs in addition to rehabilitation and recovery programmes; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63035/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1369. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the timetable for the delivery of a commitment given in Budget 2022 to provide €0.5 million to increase access to and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and LGBTI+; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63036/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1372. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for delivery of the €0.5 million committed to in Budget 2022 to address high-risk drug use; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63039/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1373. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for delivery of the €1.7 million to increase the availability of HSE drug and alcohol services on a nationwide basis; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63040/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1374. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for delivery of the €0.5 million to increase access to and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and LGTBI+; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63041/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1375. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for delivery of the €0.7 million to provide additional services for children and families who are impacted by parental drug and alcohol use; and if he will fully consult with the drug and alcohol task forces in rolling it out. [63042/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1491. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the additional €0.5 million to address high-risk drug use such as crack cocaine and other drugs as announced in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63400/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1492. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €1.7 million for measures to increase the availability of HSE drug and alcohol services on a nationwide basis as announced in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63401/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1493. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €0.5 million to increase access to and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and LGBTI+, as announced in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1494. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €0.7 million to provide additional services for children and families who are impacted by parental drug and alcohol use as announced in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63403/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1367 to 1369, inclusive,1372 to 1375, inclusive, and 1491 to 1494, inclusive, together.
In the Revised Estimates for Public Expenditure 2022, an additional €7m is provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy.
The Department of Health has published a fact sheet on new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/. This includes €1.7 million for measures to increase the availability of HSE drug and alcohol services on a nationwide basis. This will include services for people with alcohol addiction, people under 18 years, families affected by drugs, as well as rehabilitation and recovery programmes.
Further details on this funding will be set out in the HSE national service plan 2022. Drug and alcohol task forces should engage with their community healthcare organisation on plans for new HSE services.
I am committed to increasing access to and provision of drug and alcohol services in line with the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under national drug strategy.
1370. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists employed in the adult community services in County Laois; the number of vacancies that exist; and his plans to recruit additional occupational therapists. [63037/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1371. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the date for the citizens' assembly on drugs will be announced. [63038/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration is being given to the appropriate methodology for future citizens' assemblies, including one on drugs use. Decisions will be guided by the experience of the Gender Equality Assembly which completed earlier this year. An independent researcher was appointed by the Assembly to monitor and record, amongst other things, the perceived deliberative quality of the Assembly. This report, published in July 2021, will assist in decisions on future Assemblies use of virtual meetings.
By their very nature, citizens assemblies require large gatherings to be truly effective. Therefore, there has been an unavoidable delay in the establishment of the next citizens' assembly due to public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health continues to liaise with the Department of the Taoiseach on the timing and format of the proposed citizen assembly on drug use. It is envisaged that the remaining citizen assembly, including the citizen assembly on drug use, will be established after the Dublin mayor citizens' assembly has completed its work. The specific timing of each assembly has yet to be confirmed.
The Department of Health's approach to the citizen assembly on drugs use will be informed by the Government's health-led approach to people who use drugs, as outlined in the national drugs strategy. An important component of the health-led approach is the Health Diversion Programme. The Health Diversion Programme offers compassion, not punishment, to people who use drugs and connects them with health services and provides a pathway to recovery, thereby avoiding a criminal conviction. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the programme will be reviewed after the first full year of implementation to ensure that it is meeting all of it aims and to make any necessary changes. This review could usefully inform the deliberations of the citizen's assembly on drug use.
A strategic priority for the implementation of the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 is to promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences. This will include the exchange of best practice with EU member states, as part of the EU Drugs Strategy 2021 – 2025.
I believe that a citizen's assembly could usefully consider the learnings from the health diversion programme and other similar alternatives to coercive sanctions. It could also inform the development of the next national drugs strategy, to replace the existing strategy in 2025.
1376. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the additional funding to be allocated to drug and alcohol task forces to implement the actions in the Drug Relation Intimidation and Violence Engagement report as launched on 26 November 2021. [63043/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1495. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering allocating additional funding to drug and alcohol task forces in 2022 to implement the actions in the Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement report launched on 26 November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1376 and 1495 together.
In 2019, funding of €180,000 over 36 months was awarded to the DRIVE (Drug-related Intimidation & Violence Engagement) initiative, which includes the cost of recruiting a national coordinator.
The DRIVE Oversight committee leading the initiative comprises of relevant stakeholders from the Regional and Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, An Garda Síochána, the HSE Addiction Services, Family Support Services, Community & Voluntary services and Probation Services
The DRIVE Project aims to;
1. Develop a data driven community intervention model to build the capacity of communities to respond more effectively to drug related intimidation and violence.
2. Build the capacity of relevant stakeholders in communities to better understand drug related intimidation and violence, its impact on their everyday lives and the potential supports available to them for an ordered response
3. Develop a mechanism for capturing the nature and prevalence of drug related intimidation and violence at community, regional and national level to informed targeted responses at each level of need
4. Develop sustainable regional and local interagency structures and systems to improve collaboration between the An Garda Síochána and key Community, Voluntary & Statutory stakeholders across Task Force Areas to work together to address DRI at community level
5. Develop an interagency focal point for developing models of good practice, dissemination of evidence informed approaches and awareness raising
I recently launched the DRIVE research report in late November 2021.
Phase 2 of the DRIVE initiative involves the following actions;
1. The recruitment of the DRIVE coordinator to project manage its rollout and dissemination into communities
2. The development of the data collection tool with the Health Research Board.
3. Design training in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, task forces, and people with lived experience and progress to implementation on the ground
I fully support the work of the DRIVE Initiative to tackle drug related intimidation and violence and look forward to the implementation of the new data-driven community intervention model. I will consider any request for additional resources upon completion and evaluation of phase 2 of the project.
1377. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure that family support groups across the State will continue to have representation at national level on the National Oversight Committee; and the way his Department will support an organisation (details supplied) in its ongoing work to put a new national network in place. [63044/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1496. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering taking steps to ensure that the family support groups across Ireland will continue to have representation at national level on the national oversight committee; the way the national family support steering group will be supported by his Department in its ongoing work to put a new national network in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63405/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1496 together.
The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for the period 2017-2025. The strategy is dynamic with the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy. It is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory sector, community organisations, voluntary service providers, service users and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces.
The strategy includes an objective to enable the participation of both users of services and their families:, which is:-
'Promote the participation of service users and their families, including those in recovery, in local, regional and national decision-making structures and networks in order to facilitate their involvement in the design, planning and development of services and policies'. (Objective 4.2)
One of the actions included under this objective is action 4.2.44:-
'Actively supporting frontline services through capacity building measures using evidence-based models of participation in line with best practice'.
In support of this action the Department has provided funding for the organisation referred by the Deputy. This funding ceased following the voluntary closure of the organisation in 2021. The Department remains committed to supporting family support networks and will work with the HSE to provide funding for capacity building measures using evidence-based models of participation in line with best practice to families affected by substance misuse across CHOs.
Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery established a National Oversight Committee to give leadership and direction to support implementation of the strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The strategy outlines indicative membership and provides that the final membership is decided upon by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs strategy.
Following the mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, new oversight structures to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 were established. The new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy.
The national oversight committee includes three representatives from the community and voluntary sector, representing Citywide, the National Voluntary Drugs and Alcohol Services and Uisce, the service user organisation. A fourth position remains vacant and a process will be put in place to fill this position.
I am committed to give a stronger voice to civil society organisations in developing national policy, including the lived experience of those affected by drug and alcohol addiction.
1378. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the two places on the National Oversight Committee that have been removed from the community and voluntary sector effectively leaving the regions without any representation at a national level. [63045/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1497. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will consider restoring the two places on the national oversight committee that have been removed from the community and voluntary sector effectively leaving the regions without representation at a national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63406/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1378 and 1497 together.
The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for the period 2017-2025. The strategy is dynamic with the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy. It is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory sector, community organisations, voluntary service providers, service users and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery established a National Oversight Committee to give leadership and direction to support implementation of the strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The strategy outlines indicative membership and provides that the final membership is decided upon by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs strategy.
The Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery and this report was published on 17 November, 2021. Arising from the review, I have revised the oversight structures to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025. The newly streamlined oversight committee includes representatives of community and voluntary networks, Drug and Alcohol task forces, government departments, and the HSE. There are also an academic expert and a clinical expert on the committee. The most recent meeting of the committee was attended by three representatives from the community and voluntary sector, representing Citywide, the National Voluntary Drugs and Alcohol Services and Uisce, the service user organisation. It is up to each organisation to choose their own representative, whether the person is from Dublin or from the regions. A fourth position remains vacant, following the unanticipated closure of the organisation referred to by the Deputy and will be filled in due course.
In addition to the representatives of community and voluntary organisations, there are two representatives from the drug and alcohol task forces. One of these representatives attends on behalf of the regions, while the other attends on behalf of localities in Dublin, Cork and Bray.
Strategic Implementation Groups (SIGs) were established to support the implementation of the strategic priorities. These new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. The Department wants to broaden and deepen the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy. The proposal for the establishment of a civil society group on drugs is one component of this, which is under discussion with the sector. A balance of gender, regional and minority group representation will be a consideration in the establishment of this new entity.
I am committed to the partnership approach and a stronger voice to civil society organisations in developing national policy, including the lived experience of those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. I am happy to encourage regional representation as part of the oversight structures.
1379. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when a partnership interagency working group involving all sectors including the community and voluntary sector will be reinstated to recommence the review of the handbook for drug and alcohol task forces; and if he will provide a clear timeline for it to carry out and conclude its task. [63046/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1499. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reinstating a partnership interagency working group involving all sectors, including the community and voluntary sector, to recommence the review of the handbook for drugs and alcohol task forces including a clear timeline to carry out and conclude its task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63408/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1379 and 1499 together.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, ' Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. Action 50 of the strategy commits to ensuring that Task Forces have proper arrangements in place for the selection and renewal of the Chairperson, Members of Task Forces and for having proper procedures in place for addressing conflicts of interest.
The governance and operation of the task forces is set out in a handbook published in 2011. It defines the role of the task forces within the national and local framework required to address the existing and emerging threats from problem drug use. The handbook sets out the following aspects of task force processes:
- Role of the Task Force
- Composition
- Role and Nomination Process of Members
- Supports
- Monitoring/ Evaluation/ Mainstreaming of Projects
The Department set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery and a draft report was prepared. It is anticipated that the handbook will be finalised in conjunction with task forces in 2022.
One of the outputs of this group is a code of governance for task forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors. Adherence to the code will require a new regime of governance and documentation for task forces. It is anticipated that task forces will be required to sign up to the Charities Regulator governance code. The code sets minimum standards for the board of a registered charity or limited company to ensure they effectively manage and control their organisation.
I look forward to the finalisation of the revised handbook and code of governance as an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces.
