677. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which peer support and recovery services are to be progressed, the amount of funding that will be allocated to this progression; the areas in which the funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48427/22]

Minister of State at the Department of Health: In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drugs strategy and inclusion health. The funding will be used to expand HSE healthcare services and to support community & voluntary organisations to improve access to health and social care services. Details of the additional funding are outlined in the attached factsheet.

The additional funding for the national drugs strategy reflects the 6 strategic priorities I have identified for the remaining four years of the Strategy, 2022-2025. It will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery for people who experience addiction to drugs and alcohol.

More information is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/news/0cd88-budget-2023-measures-for-national-drugs-strategy-inclusion-health/