PDF P.11-12  National drugs strategy - The Strategic Implementation Groups for the National Drugs Strategy drafted a Strategic Action Plan for 2023-2024 which was published in June. The action plan is based on the six strategic priorities identified following the mid-term review of the strategy in 2021 and have been designed to strengthen the health-led approach to drugs, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. Under this plan €1.5m was provided for drug prevention to five evidence-based programmes.

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use was established and met on six occasions throughout 2023. The Department of Health presented to the assembly regarding the health led approach to drugs use on five separate occasions. As part of our input into the assembly, and with the support of the Department of Children, the Department of Health led a consultation with young people through the Comhairle na nÓg structures and youth drug projects in disadvantaged areas. The ‘Report on the Consultations with Young People for the Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use’ was forwarded by the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy to the assembly chairperson for consideration.

P.22 Drug services - In 2023, €1.8 million of additional funding was made available for Tier 4 residential addiction treatment services for the purchase of 1000 additional treatment episodes across the country. In 2021, a €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services was announced. The Community Services Enhancement fund (CSEF) provided for an additional 50 community-based drug services. 

P.41 Social inclusion

• Provision of health supports to 269 people with experience of homelessness, to enable them to live in own-door accommodation under the Housing First programme.
• Publication and commencement of the National Drugs Strategy’s Strategic Action Plan for 2023-2024 with 34 actions focusing on 6 new strategic priorities as set out by the strategy’s mid-term review.
• Activities in the Departments first drug prevention and education funding programme were commenced.

P.13 Tobacco and alcohol control
The Department worked towards the implementation of sections in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018:
• In May 2023, the Minister for Health signed into law the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, to come into effect on 22 May 2026. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products will warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and will also warn of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. The labels will also direct the consumer to the HSE website, www.askaboutalcohol.ie, for further information.
Health warnings on the labels of alcohol products will inform consumers that alcohol consumption is not risk free so that they can make an informed choice about their drinking. The labelling law also requires that those selling alcohol online or in on-license premises must provide health information to consumers.
• On 13 November 2023, the Minister for Health commenced the Broadcast Watershed provision of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. Section 19 restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements. The provision will come into operation on 10 January 2025.
• The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 was enacted on 13 December 2023. The primary policy objective of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act is to reduce the health harms of smoking through reducing the use of tobacco products, and by protecting young people from the risks associated with the use of nicotine inhaling products. The Act will achieve this objective through a suite of measures that address each phase of the sale of these products from the licensing of retailers, the regulation of sale and the strengthening of enforcement. The Act will:
o Introduce strict licensing and increased regulation of the retailers of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products.
o Introduce new restrictions on the sale of both types of product and further restrictions on the advertising of nicotine inhaling products.
o Provide additional enforcement powers to the Environmental Health Service in this Bill and for previous Tobacco Control Acts.
• Section 28, prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to those aged under 18 was commenced from 22 December 2023. The Commencement Order also commenced the general provisions of the Act, those relating to penalties and proceedings, enforcement powers and amendments to other legislation2. All sections in the Order came into effect from 22 December 2023.
• In February 2023, the HSE announced the rollout of free stop smoking medication for anyone who engages with their smoking cessation services.
• In September 2023, the Minister for Health approved the inclusion of nicotine replacement therapies in the Drug Payment Scheme and the removal of the existing prescription limit of two weeks’ worth of medicines.

P.13 British Irish Council - As the Irish chair of the Drugs and Alcohol Work Sector for the British Irish Council, the Department led on the completion of the work sector’s 2021-2023 workplan. This culminated in the hosting of a Ministerial meeting in the Department of Health, where Ministers from Ireland, Wales, Guernsey, Scotland and the Isle of Man agreed to continue cooperation in their future workplan.