Funding of €330,000 has been allocated for the continuation of drugs and inclusion health services by community groups in the west of Ireland.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has today announced €3.5 million in annual funding to maintain existing level of drugs and inclusion health services.
From this CHO2, which is made up of counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, will receive €330,000.
Minister Naughton said that this funding, “The recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services.”
These services, “meet the health needs of socially excluded groups, such as people who use drugs and people who are homeless,” Hildegarde Naughton added.
Eligible services by community and voluntary groups for this funding includes: drug services, primary healthcare projects for Travellers, healthcare for the homeless, and healthcare for refugees.
Between €330,000 and €445,000 is allocated to each CHO per annum to fund existing services, with the level of funding set based on the population of the area.
In addition, €500,000 extra is being allocated nationwide for cocaine and crack cocaine health services, with the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force (WRDATF) & HSE Community Healthcare West Drugs Service (CHWDS) leading in Galway.
