Written Answers Nos. 275-279
275. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress in implementing the 22 recommendations outlined in the 2022 Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice report entitled An Examination of the Present Approach to Sanctions for Possession of Certain Amounts of Drugs for Personal Use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13117/26]
View answer276. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will enact the recommendations relevant to her Department outlined in the Joint Committee on Drugs Use interim report published on 22 October 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13119/26]
View answer277. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her Department’s position on the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13121/26]
View answer278. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health when the public consultation on the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029 will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13123/26]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos 275 to 278, inclusive, together.
I recently published the draft national drugs strategy. The draft strategy sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug use, reflecting the Government’s commitment to a health-led approach. A Public Consultation (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/consultations/draft-national-drugs-strategy-public-consultation/) on the draft strategy is now open and the public and stakeholders are encourage to have their say.
The Government is committed to a health-led approach to drug use. A key element of the strategy is the implementation of the health diversion scheme for those found in possession of drugs for personal use, so that they benefit from a SAOR screening and brief intervention in relation to their drug use and avoid a criminal prosecution. The scheme will be implemented on an administrative basis and so no change will be required in the Misuse of Drugs Act.
I encourage all stakeholders, including those with lived and living experience of drug use, families, communities, drug and alcohol task forces and service providers, to provide their input to national drugs strategy, so that it is an effective and comprehensive response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
279. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an overview of her Department's responses to recommendations made in the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13124/26]
View answerOn 5th February, I published the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029 An integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use. The draft strategy is informed by the 36 recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use and other reports.
A public consultation was launched on 26th February 2026 and remains open until 10th April 2026. Following this, an engagement process will be initiated to review the regional governance structures for the strategy and to ensure their alignment with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Health Regions. This process will involve all relevant stakeholders, including the HSE and the drug task forces, and is scheduled to be completed by June 2026.
As you are aware, the Joint Committee on Drug Use was established to consider the recommendations of the Citizen's Assembly report. I have shared the draft national drugs strategy 2026-2029 with members of the JCDU for their consideration and have committed to taking the recommendations in their final report into consideration in finalising the strategy.
I aim to bring the finalised strategy to Government in July 2026. This will set out the Government's response to the 36 recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use.
