Minister Naughton announces the reconstitution of the North Inner-City Drug and Alcohol Task Force
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, has today announced the reconstitution of the North Inner-City Drug and Alcohol Task Force. The task force had ceased to function in late 2021, following an impasse in the appointment of an independent chairperson. The decision to reconstitute the task force follows a consultation process with former members of the task force and other stakeholders.
The reconstitution of the taskforce includes the following steps:
Minister Naughton said:
"I have re-constituted the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force to ensure that community-based drug and alcohol services are delivered in an effective and inclusive way. Some €2.25 million in public funding is provided for services, and Government is committed to ensuring that the re-constituted task force with strong leadership and expertise help and oversee delivery of those services to those most in need.
"Central to this is a transparent selection process for the appointment of an independent chairperson who will bring experience, commitment, skill and energy to the role. I have asked the HSE national recruitment service to lead this selection process, in accordance with the code of practice for appointment to positions in the civil and public service. Anyone who is interested in the post can apply under this process.
"I urge everyone to support the reconstituted task force and to work together to better the lives of people and families impacted by drugs and alcohol in the north inner city. The composition of the task force reflects the inter-agency partnership at the core of the national drugs strategy, with strong representation from the local community, including people with lived experience, voluntary services, local councillors and the business sector."
The composition of the re-constituted task force is set out below.
Membership category | Number of positions | Selection process |
Independent Chairperson | 1 | Appointed following a transparent selection process led by HSE national recruitment service. |
Statutory | 6 | Senior representative nominated by the CEO of the following organisations: HSE, An Garda Síochána, City of Dublin Youth Service Board / City of Dublin ETB Youth Services, Dublin City Council, Probation Service and the Department of Social Protection. |
Community | 4 | Selected following a transparent process to reflect the diversity of the community taking into account gender, geography and communities of interest. |
Voluntary Service Providers | 2 | Selected following consultation with voluntary service providers. |
People with Lived Experience | 2 | Selected following consultation with service users. |
Local Councillors | 2 | Councillors will be nominated from the Dublin City Council local area committee. |
Business Interests | 2 | Nominated by local businesses, with a background in governance and finance. |