408. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to each regional and local drugs task force in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11699/20]

The National Drugs Strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The strategy is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory, non-statutory and community and voluntary sectors.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities. They ensure that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas.

The Department of Health and the HSE provide total annual funding of €28m to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for local initiatives to tackle drug and alcohol use and misuse, in line with the national drugs strategy. Task Forces use this funding to support over 280 community projects throughout the country.

Additional funding of €1m was provided for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in 2019. €480,000 of this funding provided an additional €20,000 for each of the 24 Task Forces. €10,000 of this funding will be on a permanent recurring basis. The 2020 allocation for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces includes an additional €10,000 in the core funding of each Task Force, arising from the additional funding provided in 2019.

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