961. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to ensure broad and meaningful consultation on alcohol harm and its inclusion in the new national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39308/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The Programme for Government, 'Securing Ireland’s Future' sets out the Government commitment to a health-led approach to drugs use. The Government will assess the outcomes of the existing national drugs strategy and publish a successor strategy.

The successor strategy will be informed by the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, an evaluation of the existing strategy, consultations with stakeholders, and developments in the EU drugs strategy and action plan.

In line with the existing strategy, the successor strategy will address cross sectoral issues including the provision of treatment services for problematic drug and alcohol use & the development of initiatives to prevent drug and alcohol use.

The Department of Health has commissioned an independent evaluation of the existing national drug strategy. The report of the evaluation will shortly be published.

The Department has convened a number of consultations with stakeholders, including drug and alcohol task forces, providers of drug and alcohol treatment services, and alcohol advocacy groups. Over 300 people attended the consultations that were facilitated and reported upon by independent consultants. The findings from the consultations will inform the development of the new national strategy.

I have established a Steering Group to develop a draft successor national drugs strategy by the end of the year.

It is my ambition that the new national drugs strategy will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use by addressing the health and social needs of people use drugs, reducing the harms associated with drugs, and supporting recovery from drug addiction.