The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, has today announced the appointment of Dr Austin O'Carroll as the independent chairperson of the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. This follows the decision of the Minister to re-constitute the task force in September 2023, representing a new momentum in addressing the problem of drug use in this disadvantaged area. The task force will oversee approximately €2.25 million in public funding for 17 local drug services, ensuring the effective delivery of existing services and addressing any gaps in service provision.

Minister Naughton said: "The North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force is one of the longest-established task forces in the country. Since its inception it has played a valuable role in ensuring the effective delivery of services in the community, and I want to extend my gratitude to the previous task force members and staff for their tireless work in this regard. "As the task force now enters a new era, I want to warmly welcome Dr Austin O’Carroll to the role of independent chairperson. "Dr O’Carroll has worked as a GP for a long time in the north inner city and is well aware of the challenges posed by drug use. He is deeply committed to the health and welfare of the local community and has demonstrated exceptional support for those experiencing homelessness and other forms of marginalisation. "His leadership skills will bring together a range of stakeholders, including statutory agencies, voluntary service providers and community representatives, in a common purpose for the benefit of individuals and families affected by drug use. He will work closely with the chairpersons of the other government structures for the area, Jim Gavin of the NEIC Programme Implementation Board and Eddie Mullins of the NIC Local Community Safety Partnership."

Dr. O Carroll said: "I've been passionate about addressing social and health inequalities all my life. I welcome the challenge of leading the north inner city task force. I believe that interagency collaboration and community involvement are the keys to tackling drug and alcohol issues in the north inner city. "I wish to build on the achievements and work of the previous NIC Task force and recognise the commitment and hard work of its members and employees in supporting the North Inner City Communities address the drug and alcohol issues arising from the social deprivation levels in their area. "I look forward to engaging with the members of the task force and commencing our work as soon as possible. One of my priorities is to ensure that drug services are integrated with primary care services, so that no person is left behind and that there is a pathway for people to improve their health and to have a better life." 

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has provided a modern, publicly accessible premises as a base for the task force at the Soilse building on Henrietta Place, Dublin 1. The HSE has also appointed a coordinator for the task force, Brian O’Reilly. The process of appointing the other 18 members of the task force is underway, including representatives of statutory agencies, elected councillors, voluntary services providers and the business sector, as well as people from the local community and people with lived experience. The task force will develop a strategic plan to guide its work for a three-year period.

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Biographical information - Dr Austin O’Carroll
Dr Austin O’Carroll has been a General Practitioner in Dublin’s inner-city since 1997. He has founded several health initiatives including Safetynet, which provides GP services to over 6,000 marginalised patients annually throughout Ireland and GPCareForAll, a charity that sets up GP practices in areas of deprivation. He was Dublin HSE COVID-19 Clinical Lead for the Homeless Population between 2020 and 2022. A Thalidomide survivor and disability rights advocate, he is a former paralympic sailor. He received the Fiona Bradley Award: the Time & Tide Award for his work with migrants; the Healthcare professional of the Year Award in 2015 and was awarded an Honorary membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.