781. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of funding to the north inner-city drugs and alcohol task force. [39246/22]

Minister of State at the Department of Health Frank Feighan:

The Department of Health provides €2.249m per annum to community-based drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NICDAFT). The City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB), and the HSE (CHO Dublin North City and County) act as channels of funding for the administration of this funding to front line drug and alcohol projects. CDYSB administer in the region of €394,856 to four front line drug and alcohol projects in NIC on behalf of the Department of Health. The HSE acts as a channel of funding for the distribution and oversight of €2.025m in funding to services in the NIC. The Department has asked the HSE and the CDYSB to provide reassurance to the frontline services that funding will continue in 2022. In this regard, the Department understands that HSE has met with each of the funded organisations as part of the annual Service Level/Grant Aid Agreement process. In 2021, the HSE allocated €244,473 for the NICDATF company for office programmes and resources. The HSE holds a Service Level Arrangement (SLA) with the company for the delivery of these activities. The Department understands that the HSE met with the company on 13th January and again on 10th March in relation to service delivery issues, including the parameters of funding in 2022 that could be provided to the company. It was agreed that a work plan could not be developed while the task forces is not functioning. Consideration will now be given to re-allocating the funding of €224,000 for the provision of drug and alcohol services in the north inner city. The Department of Health remains committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with community-based service providers and has provide significant additional resources in Budget 2022 for drug and alcohol services in the area and north Dublin region. The Department is continuing to work with stakeholders in the north inner city to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force and of the funding that it allocates. It is currently engaged in a consultation process with members of the task force and other stakeholders on the next steps. I look forward to getting a report on the consultation process and to identify the next steps to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force in the north inner city.