261. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Healthwhen the details of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of drug task forces to support the implementation of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery during 2018 will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/18]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.

In excess of €27.6m has been allocated to task forces by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive for community-based drugs initiatives this year. This level of funding is consistent with the amounts provided in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

I will shortly be announcing details of new funding initiatives to strengthen the capacity of task forces to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, during 2018.

I strongly believe that resources should be directed towards interventions that are most effective in reducing problem substance use. Measuring the effectiveness of responses to the drug problem is therefore an important objective of public policy. Towards this end, my Department will develop a performance measurement system by 2020 which will improve accountability across all sectors, including the task forces.

I will shortly be meeting with the chairs of the task forces to discuss this and other issues relating to the implementation of the national drugs strategy.