1156. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health whether she increased core funding for addiction services; the services that benefited from this funding increase, in tabular form; the way in which her Department has expanded drug services in the community, developed new services for young people facing drug dependency and mental health issues and expanded provision and support for individuals in recovery. [47832/25]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Colm Burke): Drug related expenditure in 2023 by the Department of Health and HSE was €161 million for the provision of drug services. Approximately €65m or 40 per cent of this funding was allocated by the HSE to community-based organisations.

Budget 2024 provided an additional €4million to expand drug services in the community with a focus on, expanding community-based drug services for existing and emerging drug trends, supporting people in recovery, and providing services for people with problem gambling and gaming. Budget 2024: Measures for National Drugs Strategy and Inclusion Health

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/news/budget-2024-measures-for-national-drugs-strategy-and-inclusion-health/.

See also press release Minister Burke announces funding of €2.3 million to sustain community-based drugs services and to support people in recovery.

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 provided an additional €4.2m to expand community-based drug and alcohol services.

The new measures funded include:

• €2 million to expand community-based drug services.
• €1 million to facilitate the national roll-out of community alcohol services.
• €400,000 to deliver harm reduction initiatives.
• €500,000 for drug prevention initiatives and a public health awareness campaign.
• €300,000 for research, evaluation, and international collaboration.

[Minister of State Colm Burke announces additional €40 million in funding for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health].

In April I announced an additional €1.89 million in recurring funding to further enhance community-based drug services through the Community Services Enhancement Fund.

The additional funding will support drug services 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.

See press release [Minister Murnane O’Connor announces €1.89 million funding for community-based drugs services].