40. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the various groups and committees that inform Department policy on addiction; and the extent of research undertaken in relation to the policy on the prevention and education aspect of the National Drug Strategy. [7923/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): My Department's policy in relation to addiction is informed by the work of a number of key committees set up under the National Drugs Strategy. The Oversight Forum on Drugs (OFD), which I chair, is responsible for considering developments in drugs policies and in dealing with problem drug use generally, at EU and international level. It will oversee the development of a new National Drugs Strategy to cover the period after 2016, which will take account of evidence-based research, information and data sources on the extent and nature of problem drug use in Ireland.   

The National Co-ordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces was established on foot of the recommendations of the Review of Drugs Task Forces. It plays a key role in promoting effective local coordination between statutory bodies and the community and voluntary sectors in order to deliver a more comprehensive and effective response to the problem of substance misuse. It also ensures policy on drugs is informed by the work of the Task Forces on the ground.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA) is a critical element of the overall drugs policy in Ireland. It advises Government on the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland. It is also responsible for conducting and supporting appropriate research to fulfil the information needs of Government and my Department in formulating policies to address problem substance use. The NACDA has produced over a hundred research reports relevant to the substance misuse situation in Ireland. Recent research on prevention includes Risk and Protection Factors for Substance Misuse Among Young People (2010).