1962. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the total State funding expended on awareness campaigns on the threat of alcohol addiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59406/25]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor): In line with the Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025 strategy, the Department of Health recently provided funding of €203,000 to the HSE for work in the area of substance prevention. Delivery in 2025 will focus on the progression of a health needs assessment, which will provide national and regional evidence to inform substance use prevention. It will also inform the development of public health communications on drugs. Through an ongoing HRB Applied Partnership Award between RCSI and HSE Public Health on developing integrated participatory approaches into population-based health needs assessments, there is an opportunity to augment the needs assessment through this to gain specific community insights relating to substance prevention. Outputs include:

• Design and conduct of survey with general public to include regional break-down
• Reports produced with analysis of survey findings with public for each of the RHAs, in additional to a national report
• Focus groups with civil society in each RHA contracted and commenced
• Survey with cross-sectoral staff developed and contracted
• Commencement of identification of specific community perspectives through participatory research with RCSI.

Within the Health Service Executive (HSE) campaigns are largely to raise awareness on the negative impact’s alcohol can have, the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption or giving up completely and the HSE resources available to support, rather than campaigns focused on alcohol addiction. The HSE provides support services including a Drugs and Alcohol helpline. This service is freely available to all citizens who are themselves or who know a family member struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. This service is accessible Monday to Fridays between 9.30am until 5.30pm. The HSE also provides an information and alcohol awareness website called Askaboutalcohol.ie. This website was created to provide clear and authoritative information on alcohol to the public.