Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to announce a further investment from budget 2025 for health and well-being, and the national drug strategy. Some €9.5 million will be used to support a range of health and well-being initiatives, including physical, sexual and reproductive health. Building on the success of Sláintecare healthy communities, we have secured €1.2 million to extend the programme to four additional locations in 2025, benefiting an additional 100,000 people. Work will commence on plans for expansion to an additional 12 areas. In addition, €500,000 will be allocated to support breastfeeding - this is National Breastfeeding Week - including the recruitment of additional lactation consultants to provide specialised support services targeting areas of disadvantage.

Regarding obesity measures, I am delighted that in budget 2025 we will fully fund phase 1 of the model of care and provide initial funding to start phase 2, which we would hope to fund in 2026. We are funding measures relating to sexual health, men's health, mental health and vaping, as well as a male cancer survivorship and rehabilitation programme in Dublin and Cork.

For the ongoing implementation of the national drugs strategy, I am happy to unveil an additional €4.2 million in budget 2025. With this additional funding I want to ensure that drug and alcohol services are available in all parts the country for those who need them. The money will enhance access to services for high-risk drug users for the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people and for minimising the harms of drug use. The measures in this funding include community-based drug services to be expanded by €2 million, with three WTEs to meet increased treatment demand. In addition €1 million will provide for 24 WTEs in order that integrated community alcohol treatment services can be rolled out on a national basis. New services will be established in HSE Dublin and midlands and HSE in Dublin and south east. Existing services will be expanded to ensure full geographic coverage across all health regions. The plan is for €1.8 million to be provided for the service in 2026. In total an extra 34 whole-time equivalents will be employed to deal with drug addiction and alcohol addiction which is a very welcome development.

Overall this budget is good in respect of providing the necessary care and treatment required by people who have addiction problems.

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