Home > Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 589 – Health strategies [Dublin south west] [8716/23].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 589 – Health strategies [Dublin south west] [8716/23]. (21 Feb 2023)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023...


589. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to initiate an approach to the challenge of drugs in parts of Dublin south west, such as the Jobstown, Killinarden and parts of Tallaght, and Clondalkin, similar to that adopted by the previous Government to Dublin's north inner city; if he will specifically commit to the appointment of a coordinator and taskforce to examine and identify, with the assistance of local stakeholders, the steps and finances necessary to assist local organisations; if he will identify whether other supports are needed; and if he will provide serious consideration to the appointment of a respected and capable individual to drive this process with the financial backing of the Government. [8716/23]

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (DATF) play a key role in responding to drug and alcohol issues at the local level, within the framework of the national drug strategy. Their remit is to coordinate and integrate the response to drug use in local communities. They assess the extent and nature of the drug problem in areas and develop and monitor the implementation of action plans to respond to the problem as identified. Actions are underpinned by an evidence-based approach, including an overview on the nature and extent of drug use and the range and effectiveness of services available.

In 2022 Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force was allocated €388,114 and €1,007,948.00 from the Dept of Health and HSE respectively to support community-based drug and alcohol services. Similarly, Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Taskforce was allocated €336,022 and €898,930.00.

The Department of Health also provided €850,000 in 2022 for an HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. Two additional cocaine projects were funded under this initiative in the areas mentioned.

gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €850,000 for HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine (www.gov.ie) ; https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/12fa3-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-850000-for-hse-led-initiative-to-reduce-the-health-related-harms-from-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine/ .

In addition, the Department created a €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. In CHO 7, four services were awarded a total of €660,000 over a period of three years from this fund. gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €2 million Community Services Enhancement Fund for drug and alcohol services (www.gov.ie).; https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ca088-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-2-million-community-services-enhancement-fund-for-drug-and-alcohol-services/ .

The Government has recognised that disadvantaged areas require new forms of assistance to help them prosper. In line with the Programme for Government, it has examined how the model of intervention in the North East Inner City could be extended to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage. In particular the added value in consolidating and integrating the various state-funded and sponsored interventions already underway in these areas and making sure that they are responsive to the real needs of local communities.

A programme board of relevant departments and public bodies, including the Department of Health, has been established under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach to explore, in a small number of areas, how a consortia of organisations can be incentivised to work better together. It is important that all relevant data for these areas is mined and analysed to ensure that these organisations are focused on the genuine issues facing the communities concerned.

As Minister of State for the national drugs strategy, I welcome the whole-of-government approach to building stronger and more integrated responses to local area challenges, including drug use. I expect that DATFs will play an important role in the roll-out of the new local area programme.

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