597. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the restoration of funding to the North Inner City Taskforce. [57411/22] 

Frank Feighan, Minister of State at the Department of Health: As previously advised to the Deputy, the Department of Health continues to provide €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). No funding has been withheld. 

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 asked the HSE and the CDYSB to provide reassurance to the frontline services that funding continues to be provided 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 office programmes and resources associated with the NICDATF task force. As the task force is currently not functioning, there are no activities that require funding. 

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 directors of the limited company that previously managed this funding on behalf of the task force, on 13th January and again on 10th March. It was mutually agreed that a work plan could not be developed while the task forces is not functioning. The HSE is now engaged with local services with a view to re-allocating the funding in 2022. 

I am committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with the HSE, community-based service providers, the NEIC Initiative, and other stakeholders. I have provided significant additional resources in Budget 2022 and again in Budget 2023 to expand services in the north inner city.

722. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if there has been any reduction in funding to the Midlands regional taskforce in Budget 2023. [58035/22] 

Frank Feighan, Minister of State at the Department of Health: I understand from the HSE that there will be no reduction in funding to the Midlands Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce (MRDAFT) in 2023. 

In 2023 the new HSE U18 service for the midlands Area (Laois, Offaly, Longford & Westmeath) will be co-funded by both the MRDATF and HSE CADS (Community Alcohol & Drug Service). 

I welcome the partnership approach being taken by the HSE and MRDATF in developing and funding this service.