Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide, in tabular form, details of the funding allocation made to the LDATFs and, separately, to the RDATFs, in each of the past five years, and the respective funding that will be provided in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50456/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrug and Alcohol Task Forces receive annual funding from the Department of Health and the HSE.
The latest available consolidated table of funding relates to 2022 and is attached.
This table relates to core funding and does not include new development funding for strategic health initiatives (€1m) and the Community Services Enhancement Fund (€2m).
It also does not include the additional €4.1 million in once-off funding, to compensate for the inflation costs incurred by social inclusion services, including drug and alcohol taskforces in 2022. gov.ie - Health Ministers announce €81 million in once-off funding for voluntary and community providers (www.gov.ie)
In 2023, I provided an additional €3.5m in recurring funding to maintain existing level of drugs and inclusion health services. The funding is being distributed by community healthcare organisations (CHOs), based on guidance issued by the Department of Health. The allocation per CHO is between €330,000 & €450,000.
The funding recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services. Priority will be given to services, including community-based drug services, which are experiencing increased demand and have not received additional funding in recent years, in order to ensure maximum positive impact.
gov.ie - Minister Naughton announces additional annual funding of €3.5 million for drugs and inclusion health services (www.gov.ie).
