P.29 Social Inclusion Services

In 2024, we will:

1. Further develop social inclusion health services through implementation of the recommendations of the service user engagement study, establishing an approach to comprehensive pathways of care within and between health and community services to better address the health needs of vulnerable and marginalised populations, and promoting the uptake of the Ethnic Equality Monitoring HSeLanD module to support the roll-out and use of health service data sets to inform access, participation and health outcomes for different ethnic groups
2. Increase access to drug and alcohol services and ensure sustainability in the community, in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. DoH, Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, community and voluntary services, mental health services, TUSLA, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service)
3. Enhance existing adolescent addiction services, in conjunction with the mental health programme for dual diagnosis, and address the substance use needs of young people presenting with first episode psychosis by progressing a case management approach between social inclusion and the mental health early intervention in psychosis clinical programme
4. Progress integrated care pathways and harm-reduction responses, including the establishment of a medically supervised injecting facility (Merchant’s Quay Ireland) and an addiction facility for homeless people (Usher’s Island), continue initiatives addressing cocaine use, strengthen drug monitoring services, and support the implementation of the Health Diversion Programme
5. Strengthen preparedness for drug overdoses in light of the emergence of new synthetic drugs and increase availability and training in naloxone
6. Continue to support those receiving drug treatment services, children, parents and their families. Progress a tendering process for proposals in relation to building recovery capital in urban and rural areas
7. Review ongoing pilot initiatives for those experiencing difficulties with gambling and gaming, and expand initiatives nationally to additional areas
8. Maintain essential public health measures, consolidate advancements in healthcare delivery (including integrated care and case management) for people experiencing homelessness and provide health supports for 260 new Housing First tenancies. Work towards improving and expanding access to healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness and other social inclusion groups, including Roma communities, survivors of DSGBV, and members of the LGBTI+ community
9. Monitor and improve Traveller health outcomes through implementation of the National Traveller Health Action Plan, 2022-2027, and evaluate the impact of primary healthcare projects for Travellers