330. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health what steps have been taken under the National Drugs Strategy to ensure that drugs rehabilitation projects have the capacity and supports required to benefit from the ring-fenced T-coded CE places for those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction; and her views on the issue. [51680/23]

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Health: In Budget 2024, I secured an additional €4m (with 10 healthcare posts) to implement the national drugs strategy. The funding will be used to develop new services for young people with drug dependency and mental health issues, to expand community-based drug services for existing and emerging drug trends, to support people in recovery and to provide services for people with problem gambling and gaming.

See attached budget factsheet.

Questions on matters relating to the CE Programme could be directed to the Department of Social Protection which holds annual contracts with CE sponsor organisations.