4126. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if she will consider additional funding for addiction services provided through the North Eastern Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59360/26]

Minister for Health: An additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services was provided in Budget 2026.

The additional funding secured for 2026 is focused on addressing 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.

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/

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.

Discussions on the Estimates process for 2027 are ongoing. It is not possible to prejudge the outcome of this process or enter into any commitments in advance of its conclusion.