4127. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if she will consider a review of the actual need of addiction services given the huge issue in Ireland with drink, drug and gambling addiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59361/26]

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill): There 460 drug and alcohol treatment services nationwide. The identification and location of the services 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 data show 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.

Development of the successor national drugs strategy is ongoing. I published the draft strategy on 5th February. It sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and alcohol use. One of its pillars is to provide equitable access to high quality drug and alcohol services across health regions and population groups.

The HSE health regions have been mandated to coordinate the planning, funding and delivery of drug services, HSE and community based, in order to address disparities in treatment prevalence and to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy. The health regions have a critical role to play to ensure the planning and delivery of drug services are aligned with population need and allocation of resources. Drug task forces and community and voluntary groups will be involved in new structures to support the remit of the HSE health regions.

I am committed to enhancing services for individuals and families affected by problem drug or alcohol use, in conjunction with the HSE health regions, drug task forces and community and voluntary organisations.