802. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the provision of nurse prescribing of opioids. [34092/23]

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health: I am very aware of the valuable role that nurses are playing in providing treatment interventions to clients with substance use issues. Their work forms an important element of the addiction services response to the problem of substance use in our society

HSE Addiction services across the country employ nurses and a comprehensive governance structure for these staff is currently being put in place. This includes the recent appointment of a Director of Nursing for HSE Addiction services.

Nurses also have a key role to play in implementing the six strategic priorities identified in the midterm review of the national drug strategy.

The focus on Strategic Implementation Group 3 (SIG 3) is to develop integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users to achieve better health outcomes. The HSE's Director of Nursing sits on SIG 3 to provide advice on harm reduction responses and integrated pathways for high risk drug users. This ensures that the perspective of addiction nurses is kept to the fore in relation to strategic actions for this vulnerable cohort. 

Based on the HSE’s response under strategic action 2.1.14, of the National Drug Strategy in examining potential mechanisms to increase access to Opioid Substitution Therapies I am satisfied that there is currently no objective need for the introduction of nurse prescribing of OST/OAT.

I have been assured that this matter will be kept under review by the HSE, informed by the needs of service users.