Home > Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 1494 – Substance misuse [Funding] [29441/22].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 1494 – Substance misuse [Funding] [29441/22]. (14 Jun 2022)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022...


1494. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if full funding was made available to complete to action plan 2017-2020 included in the national drugs strategy; and the stream under which funding was made available. [29441/22] 

Frank Feighan, Minister of State at the Department of Health: Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery emphasises a health-led, whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use, based on providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery To realise this vision, the strategy identified five strategic goals and 50 actions to be delivered over the initial four year period 2017-2020. 

The Department published the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy and the six strategic priorities for the remaining four years of the strategy, 2021-2025. The mid-term review of the strategy shows significant progress in implementing the action plan for the period 2017 to 2020, with only a small number of the 50 actions outstanding. 

The main achievements included are improved access & availability of drug services, especially services for women, people who are homeless & those with heroin addiction; a new clinical programme for dual diagnosis; and the development of a health-led approach to the possession of drugs for personal use. 

In conjunction with the mid-term review, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, produced an analysis of expenditure and performance in drug and alcohol policy. The study estimated labelled government expenditure on drug and alcohol policy in excess of €200 million per annum. HSE addiction services account for over €100 million of labelled expenditure, while drug and alcohol task forces receive annual funding of c €29 million per annum. 

In Budgets 2021 and 2022, I secured significant additional funding of c €17 million to support the implementation of the health actions in the national drugs strategy. Further resources of c €10 million were provided to meet the health needs of people experiencing homelessness and addiction during the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, an allocation of €4 was provided to support the expanded access to opioid substitution treatment for people who use drugs during Covid-19.

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