193. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether he or the relevant Minister of State will engage with the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce, including meeting with the executive, to enable the TDATF to outline the current challenges and opportunities being experienced by the communities of Tallaght and Whitechurch. [32953/23]

Minister of State at the Department of Health Hildegarde Naughton:  Enhancing access to, and the delivery of, drug and alcohol services in the community is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy for the period 2021-2025. The strategic action plan 2023-2024 sets out a number of actions in relation to this priority. I am very aware of the of the key role played by Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and community-based drug services in implementing these actions at the local level.

As Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy I have regular engagement with Drug and Alcohol Taskforces. I recently addressed a conference on the role of local task forces in responding to the needs of disadvantage communities in the context of current policy developments under Slaintecare. The conference was organised by the chairpersons’ network and hosted by the Department of Health. At this event, I had the opportunity to meet with the chairperson of the Tallaght task force.

I am familiar with the report on the landscape of substance misuse and its impact on the communities of Tallaght and Whitechurch - tallaghtdatf.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2110204_TDATF_Research_Report-FINAL.pdf). I am aware that additional funding was provided by the HSE to projects in Tallaght to reduce the harm caused by crack cocaine use. in 2022 Indeed, I recently announced further funding of €500,000 to expand the provision of community-based services for cocaine and crack cocaine in 2023 - www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ec075-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-increased-funding-of-500000-for-cocaine-services/ . I would encourage the Tallaght task force to engage with the HSE if additional funding is required.

I will be meeting with the local Drug and Alcohol Task Force chairpersons' network next week. This will present a further opportunity to engage with Task Forces on current challenges and opportunities.