The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler and Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy, Colm Burke have today announced a record €25.8 billion health budget to support the continued delivery and expansion of quality, affordable healthcare services in 2025.

Drugs initiatives will be boosted by €4.2 million funding, with a focus on expansion of community drug and alcohol treatment centre services to respond to increased demand. €1 million has been allocated for the national roll-out of integrated community alcohol treatment services, ensuring full geographic coverage across all health regions.
A further €500,000 will fund a national drug prevention and public health awareness programme in collaboration with community partners.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy Colm Burke said: "Drug addiction affects not just those who use drugs but also their families and their communities, so it is vital that we provide addiction services and supports wherever they are needed. I am delighted therefore to have secured €2 million to further develop our community-based drugs services. “Of course, prevention is our primary aim, so I’m very pleased to have secured funding for awareness campaigns and harm reduction initiatives to help protect our young people from the harms associated with drug use."

Budget 2025 also provides for initiatives to protect and improve population health. €1.2 million will support the extension of the Healthy Communities programme to an additional four areas in 2025, reaching an additional 100,000 people. 

In line with the government’s commitment to create a tobacco-free Ireland and recognising the link between youth vaping and tobacco smoking, a vaping awareness campaign will be delivered, targeted at 12–17-year-olds.

Health budget 2025 p.15 - National Drug Strategy
• €2m to expand community-based drug services
• €1m to roll out integrated community alcohol treatment services
• €0.5m to deliver drug prevention programme and awareness campaign
• €0.5m to develop harm reduction programme