522. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether correct procedure has been followed in standing down the existing board of the North-Inner City Taskforce, the timeline for this procedure; the reason this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46151/23]

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health: The North Inner City task force ceased to function in 2021. This followed an impasse in the appointment of an independent chairperson and the resignation of the outgoing chairperson. Subsequently, the Department of Health engaged in a consultation process with members of the task force and other stakeholders on the next steps to re-establish the task force.

Following my consideration of a report on the governance of the task force, including the consultation with local stakeholders, I have decided to reconstitute the task force. The steps I have taken to reconstitute the task force are set out in my public announcement gov.ie - Minister Naughton announces the reconstitution of the North Inner-City Drug and Alcohol Task Force (www.gov.ie). In addition, the Department has been in communication with local stakeholders on these steps.

Central to the reconstituted task force is a transparent selection process for the appointment of an independent chairperson who will bring experience, commitment, skill, and energy to the role. The HSE national recruitment service are leading on this selection process, in accordance with the code of practice for appointment to positions in the civil and public service. Anyone who was interested in the post could apply under this process by the closing date of 19 October. NRS14165 - Independent Chairperson - HSE.ie

The composition of the task force reflects the inter-agency partnership at the core of the national drugs strategy. It will be composed of 19 members, including an independent chairperson, six statutory members, four community members, two people with lived experience, two local councillors, two people representing voluntary services providers and two people from the local business sector.

The re-constituted task force will operate in line with the remit set out in the task force handbook and like other task forces. Its autonomy and local decision-making powers will continue as normal. It will develop a strategic plan for the provision of drug services, in conjunction with local service providers and government initiatives, including the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board and the North Inner City Local Community Safety Partnership.

I value the contribution of community-based drug services to address the challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities, in the north inner city and elsewhere. I want to ensure that these services are delivered in an effective and inclusive way and that the task force has the leadership and expertise to oversee the public funding of €2.25m provided for this purpose.

My goal is to provide a fresh start for the task force and to end the impasse that has existed for the past two years.