Thomas Gould
Question:294. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for ethnic minorities, by year, in tabular form. [30196/24]
View answerWednesday, 10 July 2024
Questions (294, 295, 417)
Thomas Gould
Question:295. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for members of the LGBTQIA community, by year, in tabular form. [30197/24]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:417. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the actions undertaken to support women in entering recovery from addiction journeys. [30453/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 294, 295 and 417 together.
In 2023, there were 4,070 cases of women being treated for drugs as a main problem. This represents one in three of the total. The most prevalent drug was cocaine. A majority were not in employment, and more than half were under the age of 35.
We know that women with problematic drug use can face added stigma and barriers in accessing drug and alcohol services. Their drug use can be more complex due to factors such as poverty, gender-based violence and homelessness.
Under the Women's Health Action Plan, I recently secured €833,118 for gender-specific drug services for women with complex needs, who are at risk of drug-related harms and premature death. The funding will help address the specific barriers that women with complex needs can face in accessing drug treatment services and will develop integrated care pathways for vulnerable women. gov - Minister Burke announces funding of €830,000 for drug treatment services under the Women’s Health Action Plan (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/8e3a7-minister-burke-announces-funding-of-830000-for-drug-treatment-services-under-the-womens-health-action-plan/)
Also in 2024. €800,000 is being allocated to support the recovery of people with drug dependency and their integration into everyday life, including family, housing, employment and education. This initiative will include peer-based recovery support and coaching, and the development of recovery communities.
In 2023, additional funding was provided for new drug services with a specific focus on women.
The Department of Health provided €850,000 to expand integrated care pathways for high-risk drug and alcohol users, including gender-specific services. This included €285,000 to develop a new 10-bed rehabilitation facility for women in Meath and €216,000 for a new aftercare service for women in Wicklow.
The Community Services Enhancement Fund (CSEF) was introduced in 2022, with a budget of €2 million, to enhance community-based drug services . Twenty-five percent of the funding allocations were ring-fenced to increase access to and the provision of drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Over 50 community-based drug projects were funded under the CSEF across all CHOs.
I am committed to improving access to drug services for women and to support women in their recovery from drug use.
Question No. 295 answered with Question No. 294.