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]

1499. 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]

Frank Feighan Minister of State at the Department of Health: I 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.