820. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the amount each local and regional drugs and alcohol task force will be receiving from Budget 2026; and the way in which this compares with Budget 2024 and Budget 2025. [57124/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health:

Budget 2026

Recently, Minister Murnane O’Connor announced an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services in Budget 2026. Highlights include €0.75m to improve access to Buprenorphine in OAT services, €0.2m to enhance strategic workforce planning for drug services, €0.33m to increase treatment capacity for under-served populations and €0.1m for other drug initiatives.

Further information on the budget announcement is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/press-release-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-funding-for-drugs-and-inclusion-health-for-2026/

Budget 2025

Budget 2025 provided an additional provides €4.2m for new drugs initiatives, including €2m for community based drug services to be expanded to meet increased treatment demand, with a focus on improving access to services in underserved communities, promoting evidence-based innovations in service design and delivery, and meeting the needs of people who use stimulant drugs, and those who have a dual diagnosis. An additional €1m was provided for integrated community alcohol services, €0.4m for harm reduction initiatives and €0.5m for Drug prevention and public awareness campaigns.

Further information on the budget announcement is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-of-state-colm-burke-announces-additional-40-million-in-funding-for-drug-and-alcohol-services-and-inclusion-health/  And information on the €1.89m Community Service Enhancement Fund announcement is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-murnane-oconnor-announces-189-million-funding-for-community-based-drugs-services/

Budget 2024

Budget 2024 provided an additional €4m to implement the national drugs strategy, including €2m to support and expand community-based drug services in conjunction with drug and alcohol task forces, €0.8m for recovery, €0.5m to tackle gambling and gaming addiction, and €0.64m for young people with dual diagnosis.

Further information on the budget announcement is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/news/budget-2024-measures-for-national-drugs-strategy-and-inclusion-health/ and information on the €2.3 million to sustain community-based drugs services and to support people in recovery is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-burke-announces-funding-of-23-million-to-sustain-community-based-drugs-services-and-to-support-people-in-recovery/.