599. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings that he has held with the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health in 2022 regarding addiction or in which addiction was a topic of discussion by month in tabular form. [57413/22] 

Frank Feighan, Minister of State at the Department of Health: Minister Donnelly and I engage in an ongoing basis on the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, and the 6 Strategic Priorities for the remaining period of the Strategy. These new priorities will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use, as agreed in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. 

The six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 are: 

• strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people; 
• enhance access and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community, 
• develop harm reduction responses and integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users, 
• address the social determinants and consequences of drugs use in disadvantaged communities: 
• promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences: and 
• strengthen evidence-informed and outcomes-focused practice, services, policies and strategy implementation. 

In Budget 2023, Minister Donnelly and I agreed an allocation of €4million for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy and an additional €3.5million for community and voluntary providers to maintain existing levels of services. More details can be found in the following factsheet. assets.gov.ie/236015/722496be-5cbe-4951-ba98-d27833a813af.pdf 

Minister Donnelly and I continue to work closely together to progress the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.