€11 million investment to strengthen community drug treatment, prevention, and workforce capacity across six HSE regions.
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has confirmed an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services as part of Budget 2026.
The allocation includes €4 million for service enhancement measures and is designed to address regional disparities in drug treatment and inclusion health access, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas. The new measures will also expand early intervention and prevention initiatives aimed at improving child health and wellbeing.
Key elements of the funding package include:
- Enhanced capacity in drug services for underserved populations, including residential treatment and early intervention for young people.
- A strategic workforce development plan to upskill staff working in drug services across all six health regions.
- Expanded health services for people who are homeless, with dedicated interventions for women at risk of homelessness.
- Access to Buprenorphine for the treatment of an additional 200 people with opioid dependence.
- The Brighter Beginnings programme for Traveller child health will be expanded to two additional regions.
- Additional health supports for refugees and migrants, including those living in emergency accommodation.
An additional €100,000 will fund a hospital overdose monitoring system, allowing the HSE to track non-fatal and fatal drug overdoses more efficiently and deploy emergency responses as required.
The Minister also confirmed €2 million in Dormant Accounts funding for 2026–2027 to support healthcare services for the Roma population and to establish a multidisciplinary team for primary school children in Ballymun.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“The additional funding I have secured for 2026 will address disparities in the availability of and access to drugs and inclusion health services across the six HSE health regions.
These new measures will drive health equity for groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion and enhance the health and wellbeing of all people living in Ireland.
We are paving the way for the implementation of our new National Drugs Strategy, expanding capacity in services all across the country and rolling out successful pilot initiatives to new areas.”
The Minister also paid tribute to frontline staff, noting:
“It is fitting that we recognise their contribution and ensure that they have the resources, training and support required to continue delivering this service into the future.”
Complementary measures announced by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD include the expansion of dual-diagnosis services and suicide reduction initiatives targeting the Traveller community.
Full implementation details will appear in the Budget 2026 factsheet and the HSE National Service Plan 2026.
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