303. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding in Budget 2026 that was allocated to local drug and alcohol taskforces; the funding for the previous five years; in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55676/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health: The Department of Health and HSE provides €28m in funding to approximately 280 projects under the remit of the 24 drug and alcohol task forces that operate throughout the country in defined geographical areas. The Department engages with key stakeholders in the network of drug and alcohol task forces and takes input on the level of need in local communities, from those service providers working in the community. This in turn informs decision-making relating to the allocation of funding and provision of services.

Budget 2026 provided an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services. The allocation includes €4 million for service enhancement measures and will address regional disparities in availability of drug and inclusion health services, with a strong focus on the provision of services in disadvantaged and rural areas. It also aims to enhance prevention measures, including through early intervention measures to improve child health and wellbeing.

Further details, including a Budget factsheet, are available here: [Copy of Budget 2024] (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/6e56264b/Budget_2026_Factsheet_for_National_Drugs_Strategy_and_inclusion_health.pdf) .

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.