252. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the resource allocation and spending to date by his Department, on specific measures to address addiction amongst Travellers and Roma; and if he will outline of where that spend is directed, in tabular form. [14182/23]

Minister of State at the Department of Health: n December 2021, the Department of Health announced a €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. The fund is part of the strategic priority to enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community in the national drugs strategy 2021-2025. Between €200,000 and €240,000 per annum was provided to the nine community healthcare organisations (CHOs), who then commissioned community-based drug and alcohol services based on an assessment of population needs. Twenty-five percent of the funding allocations were ring-fenced to increase access to and the provision of drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.