I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 766 together.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and in coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.
Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in recent years. In excess of €27.88m has been allocated to Task Forces by the HSE and the Department of Health for community-based drugs initiatives this year.
In 2008 the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs had responsibility for the funding of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The Department of Health does not have detailed records of payments to Task Forces in 2008. The 2022 table of funding allocations for taskforces is attached.
In 2023, €3.5m in recurring funding was provided to support existing community and voluntary providers of drugs and inclusion health services (see attached factsheet). Details and guidance on the administration of the €3.5 million are being finalised and I expect to make an announcement shortly.
This funding will be in addition to the inflation funding of €3.9m for drug and inclusion health projects recently announced. This once-off payment recognises the impact of inflation on the cost of delivering services for community and voluntary groups. Further information can be found at gov.ie - Health Ministers announce €81 million in once-off funding for voluntary and community providers (www.gov.ie)
Allocations to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces by the Department of Health and the HSE -2022
|
LDATF
|
2022 DOH
|
2022 HSE
|
Ballyfermot
|
€255,446
|
€1,241,286
|
Ballymun
|
€422,958
|
€707,957
|
Blanchardstown
|
€179,305
|
€923,589
|
Bray
|
€573,860
|
€926,271
|
Canal Communities
|
€338,605
|
€1,066,248
|
Clondalkin
|
€388,114
|
€1,017,948
|
Cork
|
€57,588
|
€1,472,699
|
Dublin 12
|
€70,397
|
€1,003,750
|
Dublin NE
|
€239,971
|
€787,116
|
Dun Laoghaire
|
€51,676
|
€839,755
|
Finglas Cabra
|
€263,277
|
€637,960
|
NIC
|
€394,856
|
€1,844,723
|
SIC
|
€176,043
|
€1,963,075
|
Tallaght
|
€336,022
|
€908,930
|
Total LDATF
|
€3,748,118
|
€15,341,307
|
|
|
|
RDATF
|
2022 DOH
|
2022 HSE
|
East Coast Area
|
€58,200
|
€518,500
|
Midland
|
€136,816
|
€672,491
|
Mid-West
|
€147,982
|
€1,270,007
|
North East
|
€0
|
€937,813
|
North West
|
€258,633
|
€471,730
|
North Dublin City & Co.
|
€0
|
€787,243
|
South East
|
€0
|
€1,075,760
|
South West
|
€102,820
|
€706,497
|
Southern
|
€0
|
€983,178
|
Western
|
€136,994
|
€534,155
|
Total RDATF
|
€841,445
|
€7,957,374
|
Overall Total
|
|
€27,888,244
|
Fact Sheet Budget 2023