1007. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy and to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7601/26]

1008. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the way in which the population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7602/26]

1009. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7603/26]

1010. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7604/26]

1027. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7701/26]

1028. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7702/26]

1029. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the consultation which has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7703/26]

1030. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7704/26]

1032. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7707/26]

1033. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7708/26]

1034. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7709/26]

1035. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7710/26]

1049. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7753/26]

1050. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for the new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7754/26]

1051. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7755/26]

1052. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7756/26]

1066. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7836/26]

1067. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7837/26]

1068. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7838/26]

1069. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7839/26]

1111. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health if the forthcoming National Drug Strategy will outline alternatives to the current local and regional drug and alcohol task forces. [8232/26]

1112. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regionals structures under the National Drugs Strategy; to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8233/26]

1113. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8234/26]

1114. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the consultation which has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8235/26]

1115. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8236/26]

1122. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; to clarify the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8257/26]

1123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8258/26]

1124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8259/26]

1125. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role of task forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8260/26]

1129. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to end the local and regional drug and alcohol task forces; if she plans to reform the 24 current locations and set ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8316/26]

1135. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the proposed establishment of regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; the governance, funding and accountability arrangements for these structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8357/26]

1136. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the way in which population-based planning, that will be used for new National Drugs Strategy structures, will address deprivation and local need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8358/26]

1137. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the consultation which has taken place with local drug and alcohol task forces and communities ahead of the proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8359/26]

1138. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health the way in which the independent, community-led nature, and preventative role, of Task Forces will be protected in the new proposed regional structures under the National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8360/26]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1007 to 1010, inclusive, 1027 to 1030, inclusive, 1032 to 1035, inclusive, 1049 to 1052, inclusive, 1066 to 1069, inclusive, 1111 to 1115, inclusive, 1122 to 1125, inclusive, 1129, and 1135 to 1138, inclusive, together.

The process of developing the next National Drugs Strategy is ongoing. This is informed by extensive consultations with stakeholders, including drug task forces https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/44454/  (https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/28cd583a/Stakeholder_consultations.pdf).

I recently received the draft national drug strategy, developed by an expert steering group and a reference group of frontline services and people with lived experience. The draft strategy sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use.

I have agreed with the Joint Committee on Drug Use that I will share the draft Strategy with them shortly to inform their deliberations and that I will take cognisance of any recommendations they make in their final report, in the finalisation of the National Drug Strategy

The next steps in finalising the National Drug Strategy are as follows;

- a public consultation to gather the views of the public on the draft strategy. 

- a process of engagement to review the regional governance structures for the strategy and to ensure their alignment with the HSE Health Regions. This process will include all stakeholders, including the HSE and the drug task forces. This process will be concluded by June 2026

You may be assured that I fully intend to ensure the continued community-led role of task forces under the regional governance structures in the draft national drugs strategy.

The expert steering group will take cognisance of the report of the Joint Committee, the results of the public consultation and the process of engagement in relation to future governance and submit a revised strategy and action plan to me.

It is my aim to bring the finalised strategy and action plan to Government for approval in July 2026.