3230. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health whether the Department intends to develop a national data collection framework on families affected by substance use, including the wider impacts on parents, siblings, partners and children. [55327/26]

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill): The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (www.hrb.ie/publications/?filter-scheme-28=addiction-treatment) is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment. It is compiled annually to provide information on treatment demand and provides important data to allow services to deliver what is required. The NDTRS follows a common and systematic European methodology for collecting and reporting core data on the numbers and profiles of those entering specialised drug treatment each year (treatment demand). The European Treatment Demand Indicator protocol aims to provide objective, reliable and comparable information at a European level and is routinely used to identify trends and patterns in problem drug use and to assess the use and uptake of treatment facilities.

The cases reported in the NDTRS are from a record number of 460 drug services, of which 170 provide family support. The services are available throughout the country and can be found on an online interactive map on www.drugsandalcohol.ie.

The latest published data from the Health Research Board on Ireland’s National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), shows an increased uptake of drug treatment services in 2025. The NDTRS shows a record figure of 15,422 cases presenting for treatment for problem drug use, representing an increase of 16% on 2024, and a 73% increase in the annual number of cases entering treatment since the commencement of the current national drugs strategy in 2017. This increase in treatment numbers reflects ongoing increases in investment by the Govt in expanding treatment places. The NDTRS records 6,086 cases with children aged 17 years or under.

The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with children and those without, and those who are unemployed as well those in employment.

In addition, in 2025, 8,798 cases entered treatment with alcohol recorded as the main problem substance. Of these, 3,239 cases had one or more children aged 17 years or under.

The NDTRS also collects voluntary data on people who present to services as Affected Family Members (AFMs), including family members seeking support in relation to a relative’s or significant other’s substance use or behavioural addiction. Information recorded includes demographic characteristics (such as gender, age, parental status and living circumstances), referral source, treatment setting, interventions provided, and issues experienced by AFMs, such as drug-related intimidation.

The HRB has advised that the NDTRS is currently being enhanced to collect additional information on family relationships and the substance use or addiction issues affecting AFMs. These enhancements are being funded by the Department of Health to strengthen the evidence base on the impact of addiction and drug related intimidation on families and to inform policy and service responses.

I recognise the impact that drug and alcohol use can have on family members and I am committed to enhancing services for those affected under the forthcoming national drugs strategy.