213. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if she acknowledges the long-term benefits of supporting organisations such as CASP Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme, which aim to reduce crime through addiction recovery and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45658/23]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: As the Deputy may be aware, Government policy in the area of drugs is focused on reducing the harms for individuals, communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.

This policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, which represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland. Implementation of the strategy is led by my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, however it includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.

While my Department’s key strategic priorities include tackling crime, they also include strengthening community safety and reducing reoffending and our range of criminal justice policies are cognisant of the need to appropriately balance those objectives. Drug use and trade do have serious negative impacts on communities across the country and must be addressed holistically, not only through the criminal justice system but also through appropriate health and social supports.

I’ve said consistently that the people who are best placed to know and respond to local safety issues are communities themselves. Through the Community Safety Innovation Fund (CSIF), my Department supports community groups, with grants ranging from €20,000 to €150,000, that have innovative proposals to improve community safety and have not been able to access other sources of funding. The fund reinvests the proceeds of crime back into community safety and reflects the continued successes of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the ill-gotten gains of criminals.

Last week I announced an allocation of €3 million under the CSIF, including an allocation to Ana Liffey for a project supporting drug treatment and recovery from addiction in the Broadstone/Smithfield area and the WASP Community Education Programme, who are supporting those impacted by drug related intimidation.

Furthermore, the Programme for Government commits to considering the mental health and addiction treatment of persons imprisoned and the primary care support provided on release and a lot of work is being done in this area.

In September 2022, Minister Donnelly and I jointly published the report of the High Level Taskforce considering the mental health and addiction challenges of people interacting with the criminal justice system.

The recommendations made by the Task Force aim to ensure better support for people at the earliest point at which they come into contact with the criminal justice system.

When implemented, the recommendations will divert people away from the criminal justice system where appropriate, while supporting them in their rehabilitation from addiction and in the recovery and management of their illness.

The recommendations also seek to address the question of better support for prisoners in their rehabilitation when justice requires a prison sentence, and that progress made in prison is not lost after release. Building on existing best practice, the recommendations ensure there is adequate provision of services and sufficient safeguards in place to support rehabilitation and care, from custody to the community.