492. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the HSE since the cessation of the Midlands Youth Drug and Alcohol Services Extern service on 31 December 2022; the timeline for the commencement of the new service, considering young people in the midlands have been without this vital service and support since before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/23]

Re: Parliamentary Question – 2726/23

Dear Deputy Clarke,

The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the  above Parliamentary Question, which you submitted to the Minister for Health for response. I  have examined the matter and I outline the position as follows.

HSE CADS (Community Alcohol & Drug Services) and the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task  Force (MRDATF) contracted Extern to provide U18 services across the Midlands region. This HSE  contract ended 31st December, 2022.

On 1st January 2023 a new HSE U18 Drug & Alcohol Addiction Services was established. This  service provides Drug & Alcohol Treatment Supports to those under 18 years and families across  the counties of Laois/Offaly/ Longford & Westmeath. The development of this new service is a  partnership between HSE CADS (Community Alcohol & Drug Services) and the Midland Regional  Drug and Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF).

Prior to the commencement of the new service in January 2023, HSE CADS and the MRDATF  liaised with the former service provider i.e. Extern Ireland with the priority being to ensure a  smooth transition of service user care into the new HSE service. This was facilitated by the new

HSE staff teams making direct contact with all existing service users and families in the first  week in January.

I wish to confirm that there was no break in services and relevant treatment supports continued  to be provided to service users as required.