600. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the way the €2.3 million funding to community addiction services will be allocated. [41115/24]

602. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the €2.3 million funding for local and regional drug taskforces in September; if it has been allocated and drawn down; and if so, by whom. [41118/24]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Colm Burke): I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 602 together.

In September 2024, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke announced the allocation of funding of €1.5 million to sustain existing community-based drugs services and €800,000 (per annum over four years, a total of €3.2 million) to support the recovery of people from drug dependency. www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1add4-minister-burke-announces-funding-of-23-million-to-sustain-community-based-drugs-services-and-to-support-people-in-recovery/.

€800,000 is provided to support the recovery of people from drug dependency and their integration into everyday life, with a particular focus on initiatives in areas such as employment, education, housing, and family. The funding will also support peer-based recovery support and coaching, and the development of recovery communities.

€1.5 million is being provided for existing community-based drugs services that face increased demand and/or rising costs. The funding will be available on a recurring basis from 2025. This funding acknowledges the increased demand for drug treatment. The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023, which is an increase of almost 50% from 8,922 in 2017.

The funding supports the strategic priority to enhance access to and delivery of drug services in the community, under the National Drugs Strategy for 2021-2025. It also meets the Programme for Government commitment to support drug and alcohol task forces in identifying local needs in communities and in providing targeted initiatives to address drug and alcohol use. It aligns with the Programme for Government commitments to strengthen community-based care, including primary care and social care, to advance Sláintecare reforms. The funding is for existing services. The expected outcome is to improve health outcomes for people who use community-based drugs services.

The funding is allocated using a population-based resource allocation model by health region as below: