This annual report for the Department of Health outlines the main achievements made during 2021 to deliver on our mission and fulfil our role. This report is set out across five chapters, each reflecting one of the five strategic priorities in the Department of Health’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023.

The five priorities in the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 are:
1. Manage COVID-19 and promote public health.
2. Expand and integrate care in the community.
3. Make access to healthcare fairer and faster.
4. Improve oversight and partnership in the sector.
5. Become an organisation fit for the future

Includes actions:

P.17 Commencement of multiple sections of Public Health (Alcohol) Act including section 11 on Minimum Unit Pricing.

P.17 The International Leadership Summit on Tobacco Control was held on 18 October 2021. An Taoiseach introduced the Summit with the Minister for Health a keynote speaker.

P.22 As part of Sláintecare, the Department undertook a Focused Policy Assessment of ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: An analysis of expenditure and performance in the area of drug and alcohol misuse’ as part of the mid-term review of the strategy.

P.29 Publication of mid-term review of the national drugs strategy and six strategic priorities identified for the remaining period 2021-2025.

P.30 Access to cannabis-based products form Medical use
• Commencement of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme by the HSE and the addition of cannabis-based products for use in the programme.
• Provision of 79 Ministerial licences to clinicians to treat patients with cannabis-based products.
• The Department was responsible for the monthly collection and delivery of prescribed cannabis-based products from the suppliers in the Netherlands directly to Irish patients.