Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
797. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to addiction rehabilitation services in 2025; the projected increase in funding under the forthcoming National Drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65142/25]
View answerThe development of the successor national drugs strategy, and a two-year action plan to support its delivery, is being overseen by a Steering Group
(https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-murnane-oconnor-attends-inaugural-steering-group-meeting-to-oversee-the-development-of-the-new-national-drugs-strategy/) led by independent chair Dr Sarah Morton. I expect to consider a draft of the successor national drugs strategy by the end of 2025.
As work on the strategy is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to prejudge the outcome of the process or comment on investment plans to support it, at this time.
Budget 2025 provided an additional provides €4.2m for new drugs initiatives, including €2m for community based drug services to be expanded to meet increased treatment demand, with a focus on improving access to services in underserved communities, promoting evidence-based innovations in service design and delivery, and meeting the needs of people who use stimulant drugs, and those who have a dual diagnosis. An additional €1m was provided for integrated community alcohol services, €0.4m for harm reduction initiatives and €0.5m for Drug prevention and public awareness campaigns.
Further information on the budget announcement is available at [Minister of State Colm Burke announces additional €40 million in funding for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-of-state-colm-burke-announces-additional-40-million-in-funding-for-drug-and-alcohol-services-and-inclusion-health/) .
Information on the €1.89m Community Service Enhancement Fund announcement is available at [Minister Murnane O’Connor announces €1.89 million funding for community-based drugs services] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-murnane-oconnor-announces-189-million-funding-for-community-based-drugs-services/) .
Recently, I announced an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services in Budget 2026. Highlights include €0.75m to improve access to Buprenorphine in OAT services, €0.2m to enhance strategic workforce planning for drug services, €0.33m to increase treatment capacity for under-served populations and €0.1m for other drug initiatives.
Further information on the budget announcement is available at [Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces funding for drugs and Inclusion Health for 2026] (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/) .
The additional funding I have secured for 2026 will address disparities in 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 health and well-being.
We are paving the way for the implementation of the successor national drugs strategy, expanding capacity in services all across the country and mainstreaming successful pilot initiatives.
