462. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67920/26]

Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in implementing the national drugs strategy at the local level. They assess the extent and nature of the drug problem and initiate appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance use in local communities and local communities are consulted in the design and delivery of services.

The Department of Health and HSE provides €28m in funding to approximately 280 projects under the remit of the 24 drug and alcohol task forces that operate throughout the country in defined geographical areas. The Department engages with key stakeholders in the network of drug and alcohol task forces and takes input on the level of need in local communities, from those service providers working in the community. This in turn informs decision-making relating to the allocation of funding and provision of services.

The funding paid to projects under the remit of Cork Drug and Alcohol Taskforce by the Department of Health is laid out in the below table.

NB: Additional core funding and back pay was allocated in 2024 in the context of the October 2023 Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) pay agreement. 2025 and 2026 allocations reflect the increase in core funding arising from the WRC pay agreement.

The HSE funding provided to Drug and Alcohol Taskforces and projects is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.