1998. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to confirm the level of funding for local and regional drug and alcohol task forces in 2024 and 2025, respectively; the allocation for 2026; the level of funding increases that were awarded in budgets 2025 and 2026, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59624/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health: The Department of Health and HSE provides €28m in funding annually to approximately 280 projects under the remit of the 24 drug and alcohol task forces that operate throughout the country in defined geographical areas.

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/

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/

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/

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 2026

Recently, I 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/

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.