606. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of the Ballyfermot, canal communities, Dublin 12, and south-inner city drug and alcohol task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9831/23]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

There are 24 drug and alcohol task forces co-ordinated by the nine community healthcare organisations across the country, including the three referenced by the Deputy in CHO 7. The task forces play a key role in implementing the national drugs strategy at CHO level. They assess the extent and nature of the drug problem and initiate appropriate responses, so that there is a co-ordinated approach to the problem of substance use in local communities. They operate through a partnership approach between the statutory, voluntary & community sectors, including public representatives.

South Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force were successful applicants to CHO 7 under the HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. Under this proposal, the task force will offer community engagement activities, such as training, learning events and workshops. The main target groups are Women, Travelling Community, Homeless, Prisoners, and Service Users seeking treatment interventions.

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/

Under the €2M Community Services Enhancement fund, four projects received funding from CHO 7. These included Dublin 12 DATF which received €150,000 for three years for a Minorities Communities Engagement Initiative, Ballyfermot and Dublin 12 DATFs which received €120,000 for three years for Crack Cocaine Outreach Workers, and South Inner City DATF also received €262,990 for three years for a women and drugs initiative.

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/

Previously, under the strategic initiative funding announced in 2019, Ballyfermot, Canal Communities, D12 and South Inner City Task Forces received funding for a Community Alcohol Detox Project, while Ballyfermot Task Forces received funding for research to support women to access appropriate drug and alcohol treatment services. Both of these projects gave rise to beneficial outcomes.

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d0307d-minister-byrne-announces-228m-for-12-strategic-initiatives-to-implem/

I recently meet with all the drug and alcohol task forces, including the three task forces operating in CHO 7, to get an update on their work and any issues or challenges arising. I very much value their contribution to the national drugs strategy and look forward to further engagement.