16. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the options, if any, for multi-annual core funding for a network (details supplied) based in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25206/23] 

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - What options are there for multi-annual core funding for the Family Addiction Support Network, which is based in Dundalk and operates throughout counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan? The organisation provides an important service to families of people suffering addiction. It also provides a service to the Garda and helps to deal with the absolute disaster of drug debt intimidation. 

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health - Goal No. 4 of the national drugs strategy recognises the key role families play in contributing to the planning, design and delivery of effective addiction services. Families have unique insights that are a valuable resource to those involved in developing addiction services and interventions. Facilitating their involvement in the development and design of services is a core objective of our drugs policy. 

In 2022, the Department of Health allocated €280,000 in additional recurring funding to the HSE to support family services. This funding was to develop and broaden the range of peer-led, mutual aid and family support programmes, in accordance with best practice. It included an allocation of €70,000 in recurring funding to Louth and Meath, as part of community healthcare organisation, CHO, 8. In the same year, the Department established the community services enhancement fund, with annual funding of €2 million on a recurring basis for community-based drug services. Of this allocation, a further €80,000 in recurring funding was prioritised for Louth and Meath as part of our commitment to support the implementation of the recommendations on drugs services from the scoping report on community safety and well-being in Drogheda. 

I understand an independent evaluation of community and voluntary drug services was commissioned by the north-eastern regional drugs and alcohol task force. The conclusions and recommendations arising from that report and the HSE review of addiction services in counties Louth and Meath will inform the development of a roadmap for drug services in the Louth-Meath area. I encourage relevant organisations, including the one referenced by the Deputy, to engage with the regional task force and the HSE on the options and opportunities for multi-annual core funding for the provision of family support and community-based drug services in the area. 

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - The Family Addiction Support Network was probably late to the game in seeking funding. Back in 2008, the north-eastern regional drugs and alcohol task force, like every other body, had its money slashed. It then had to try to keep a skeleton of its service in play. That is what happened across the board. We all know the issues that exist at this time in regard to drug addiction and drug crime. We have not seen the sort of funding that is required. A lot of positive stuff has happened under the Drogheda implementation plan and the new board, but we are starting from way behind. 

The Garda recognises that the Family Addiction Support Network is doing significant work. The organisation offers a service the Garda cannot offer in dealing with families who are going through an absolute disaster. It also offers a route map for people who would not necessarily go directly to the Garda because of the stigma, fear and severe pressure they are under as a result of drug debt intimidation. We have been talking about the issues for a long time. The Garda has been involved in direct fundraising for this organisation. It is a crazy situation and we need to do far better. 

Deputy Hildegarde Naughton - I acknowledge the importance of groups like this one. It is important that the organisation in question engages with the regional task force, which can provide technical assistance to prepare its business case for funding. 

It is important to note the other sources of support. Merchants Quay Ireland, MQI, is in receipt of funding of €109,000 in 2023 to provide family support services. MQI family support services in Louth and Meath have met with many community, voluntary and statutory services, including the Family Addiction Support Network, Tusla, the probation and welfare service and the Garda. MQI advised the Family Addiction Support Network that it is happy to take any referrals for family support from across the Louth and Meath area. Currently, there are no waiting lists for families who wish to engage with MQI family support services. That provision is there. As I said, however, my fundamental response to the Deputy is that the organisation in question should engage with the regional task force in regard to the provision of multi-annual core funding. 

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - Let me be clear. The Family Addiction Support Network has had a huge amount of engagement with the drugs and alcohol task force. In fairness, the latter has put in business plans and requests for funding that have not necessarily been met at this point. However, the requests that have been put in probably would not cut the mustard in regard to the particular issue we are dealing with, namely, the drug addiction crisis and the pressures families are under as a result. As I outlined, State agencies use this organisation. It is not some organisation that exists in a silo and only imagines it is doing really good work. Christy Mangan, the former Garda chief superintendent for Louth, is still personally involved with it on the basis of the work it has done in the past. As I said, the Garda is involved in fundraising every year to keep the organisation afloat. We really need to look at how we deal with organisations like this one. When I speak to people in Turas Counselling, the Red Door Project and the Dundalk Counselling Centre, they all talk about the issue of corporatism and the difficulties of dealing with State agencies in regard to funding. 

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle - The Deputy's time is up. The Minister of State may give a final response. 

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - We are talking about existing services that are not being sufficiently resourced. 

Deputy Hildegarde Naughton - Fundamentally, the Department allocates the funding and it is to up the HSE to look at the applications that come into it. I do not know the exact detail of the situation the Deputy has raised but if there are difficulties, it is up to the organisation in question to work directly with the HSE and the task force to tease through a business plan. We all want to ensure funding is allocated to initiatives that work and are evidence-based. From what the Deputy is saying, this particular organisation works well and is well respected within the community. As I outlined, MQI family support services are available and there are no waiting lists. Where there are pressures on the system, referrals can be made to MQI. I take the Deputy's fundamental point about resourcing. The organisation needs to engage with the regional task force, which will provide assistance to work through any technical issues relating to its business plan for further funding.