786. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a funding stream is available for relevant organisations to celebrate recovery month. [39252/22]

Minister of State at the Department of Health Frank Feighan: My Department does not provide specific funding for recovery month.

Over €136 million in labelled public expenditure is spent on drugs every year by my department. Much of this funding is channelled through the HSE to support the implementation of the national drug strategy.

Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE has responsibility for the provision of health and social personal services including addiction and recovery services.

The HSE either directly provides these services or arranges to have them provided on its behalf. Many organisations working in addiction recovery are funded by the HSE.

I welcome the fact that some organisations, during Recovery Month, are taking the opportunity to raise awareness of recovery and celebrate individuals from all walks of life who have managed to carry out a successful recovery.

Supporting recovery is key to the National Drug Strategy, which aims to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery. Recovery is a personal journey, and rehabilitation a process, that supports and encourages the individual at each stage along the pathway to recovery.

I fully support a health-led approach to recovery and acknowledges that a successful outcome for every individual can look different.