Taoiseach gives undertaking to look into funding solutions for Dundalk's FASN

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has given an undertaking to look into funding solutions for the Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) after he was twice asked about the organisation in the Dáil last week by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

During questions to the Taoiseach, Deputy Ó Murchú said:

“I would bring up the issue again of the Family Addiction Support Network (FASN), which is an absolutely vital cog that provides supports that no one else does for families. This is not only for the Minister of State responsible for the national drugs strategy but the Minister for Justice, who is the custodian, to a degree, of the Guerin report and the Drogheda implementation plan.

“There is a failing around providing sustainable funding. An Garda Síochána is doing fundraisers for this organisation. The former chief superintendent of An Garda Síochána in Louth, Christy Mangan, is still on the board.

“This is absolutely excellent, necessary work. Sometimes the people who find themselves under the cosh as regards drug debt and intimidation will make their approaches to this organisation.

"We need to look at sustainable funding and there needs to be a wider conversation on it. It is necessary that the Taoiseach bring this up with the two Ministers.”

In a further question, the Dundalk TD said:

“The Guerin report and the Drogheda implementation report spoke about the important work it does, particularly with families.

“It is sometimes the go-to body for those who are not necessarily comfortable with going to the Garda about drug debt, intimidation and the huge issues there are with those matters.

“Those involved have had numerous meetings with the HSE on funding, but it is not really cutting the mustard.

“They have even met an organisation that was provided funding and that asked it whether it could deal with some of its overflow.

“The Minister for Justice has had many interactions with me before on this but we need to see some sort of sustainable funding for an organisation doing necessary work.”

In response, Mr Varadkar said a lot of progress has been made on the ground in Drogheda since the feud and “the awful events that occurred a few years ago.”

He said:

“A lot of good things are happening. Regarding the funding of the particular organisation, I will have to come back to the Deputy on that when I have chance to speak to the relevant Ministers.”