1157. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there has been any reduction in the funding being provided to drugs taskforces in Budget 2026; if so, the rationale behind the reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64024/25]

Jennifer Murnane O Connor. Minister of State at the Department of Health: The Department of Health provides in the region of €4.6m in funding annually to approximately 61 projects under the remit of drug task forces under the Drugs Initiative budget. This level of funding was provided in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Additional core funding of €320,000 was allocated in 2024 in the context of the October 2023 Workplace Relations Commission pay agreement. This funding will also be provided in 2026.

The HSE provides a further €22m for the provision of community-based drug services in task force areas.

I recently announced an additional €1.89 million in recurring funding to further enhance community-based drug services though the Community Services Enhancement Fund. The additional funding will support drug services (including task forces) 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. [Minister Murnane O’Connor announces €1.89 million funding for community-based drugs services].

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 [Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces funding for drugs and Inclusion Health for 2026]

The additional funding I have secured for 2026 will address disparities in the availability of and access to drugs and inclusion health services across the six HSE health regions. The new measures will drive health equity for groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion and enhance the health and wellbeing of all people.

We are paving the way for the implementation of our new national drugs strategy, expanding capacity in services all across the country and rolling out successful pilot initiatives to new areas.