663. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to increasing the funding for drug and alcohol taskforces to assist these organisations to address the increased use of cocaine in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34855/23] 

664. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to increasing the funding for drug and alcohol taskforces to assist these organisations to address the worrying increased use of crack cocaine in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/23]

Minister of State at the Department of Health Hildegarde Naughton:

I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.

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 several 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. 

The Community Services Enhancement Fund (CSEF) was introduced in 2022, with a budget of €2 million, to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services under the National Drugs Strategy. Funding is aligned with the emphasis on enhanced community care in the Sláintecare reform programme, that shifts care into the community and closer to people’s homes. 

Over 50 community-based drug projects were funded under the CSEF across all Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs). 

In 2022, €850,000 in additional funding was provided for a HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. The funding supports models of best practice in cocaine treatment, including the development of training programmes for addiction service staff nationally. It also provided for the establishment of targeted interventions in disadvantaged communities worst affected by cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine.

gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €850,000 for HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine (www.gov.ie)

The Health Research Board’s report on the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) for 2022, found that cocaine was the most common problem drug reported in 2022. 

In recognition of this I recently announced additional funding of €500,000 to expand the provision of community-based services for cocaine and crack cocaine. This new funding will build on last years HSE led €850,00 cocaine initiative. I would encourage taskforces to engage with their local CHO on this initiative.

gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces increased funding of €500,000 for cocaine services (www.gov.ie)