32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which persons in need of drug rehabilitation programmes have access to same, with a view to reducing their dependency on drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26658/23] 

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health - Over €136 million in labelled public expenditure is spent on measures to address substance use every year by my department. Much of this funding is channeled through the HSE to support the implementation of the national drug strategy. 

In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drug strategy and inclusion health. The funding will be used to expand HSE healthcare services and to support community & voluntary organisations to improve access to health and social care services. Details of the additional funding are outlined in the attached factsheet. I believe this additional funding will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery for people who experience addiction to drugs and alcohol.

 Supporting recovery is key to the National Drug Strategy, which aims to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery. Recovery is a personal journey, and rehabilitation a process, that supports and encourages the individual at each stage along the pathway to recovery. 

As the question relates to the availability of rehabilitation programmes which is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly. 

Factsheet