Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 361 - Addiction treatment services. [39048/15].

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 361 - Addiction treatment services. [39048/15]. (10 Nov 2015)

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361. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the programmes and supports available to persons suffering from alcohol addiction; the amounts spent on providing these programmes for each of the years from 2008 to 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39048/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): Individuals with an addiction to drugs and alcohol access the full range of general health services including primary care, secondary care, social care and mental health services. There are also specific services for addiction. Health Service Executive funding of €109 million is provided for alcohol and drug addiction services in 2015.   People who present for alcohol addiction treatment are offered a range of interventions based on the Four Tier Model of treatment intervention. The quality of client care remains a central focus of the addiction service. The HSE is aware of the growing need for interventions to address those addicted to drugs and alcohol. The issue of support for those with alcohol addiction will also be considered as part of national strategy development; most particularly in developing the new drugs strategy and in the forthcoming review of 'A Vision for Change.' The resources available to address substance misuse will be kept under review in the context of the overall resources available to the health services.   It is also essential to have a public health policy response which seeks to reduce the number of people engaged in harmful use of alcohol. The Government approved the General Scheme of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in February. The Scheme includes provisions for minimum unit pricing, health labelling on products that contain alcohol, restrictions on the advertising and marketing of alcohol and the regulation of sports sponsorship. Work is continuing on the preparation of the legislation and it is expected that the Bill will be published shortly. The other measures set out in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, were endorsed by Government. The First Annual Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy is due later this year.   The HSE has recently advised of the expenditure attributed to HSE Addiction Services within Social Inclusion/Primary Care. This includes funding provided to a number of voluntary service providers who treat drug and alcohol addictions.

Services

2012 Expenditure

2013 Expenditure

2014 Expenditure

2015 Allocation

HSE Addiction Services

€90,751,786

€90,391,525

€107,691,991

€108,871,877

     The provision of services to prevent and treat addiction to alcohol is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have also referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.

[Please see PDF attachment for reply from Health Service Executive above]

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