Minister visits Ana Liffey Limerick

During the visit, the Minister met with staff and service users and received detailed briefings on two key programmes delivered by Ana Liffey Midwest: the Women’s Health Programme and LEAR (Law Engagement Assisted Recovery).

Established in 2024, the Women’s Health Programme provides gender-sensitive, trauma-informed supports to women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Operating across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary, the programme supports women to access addiction services, healthcare, housing supports and specialist responses to domestic violence, parenting needs and reproductive health. To date, over 100 women from diverse backgrounds have engaged with the programme, many for the first time, achieving meaningful improvements in health, stability and wellbeing. The programme is funded through the Health Service Executive and supported through partnership work primary care services and University Hospital Limerick.

The Minister also learned about the LEAR programme, which has been operating in Limerick City since 2022 in partnership with An Garda Síochána. LEAR provides intensive, person-centred case management to people with complex needs related to addiction, criminality, homelessness and mental health. Through close collaboration between Gardaí and Ana Liffey staff, the programme supports individuals to move away from criminal activity and towards recovery, stability and positive engagement with services. LEAR is currently supporting 65 people on this journey.

Ana Liffey Drug Project Midwest delivers a wide range of low-threshold harm reduction services across the region, including outreach through its mobile health unit, naloxone training, prison in-reach, and targeted supports for people sleeping rough. In 2025 alone, the Midwest team worked with approximately 500 people, many of whom face multiple and overlapping challenges such as addiction, homelessness, domestic violence and poor mental health.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Murnane O’Connor praised both service users and staff for their commitment and achievements.

“Improving access to healthcare services for marginalised women is a key policy priority in the Department of Health under the Women’s Health Programme.

“We know that women with problematic drug use can face added stigma and barriers in accessing drug and alcohol services. Their drug use can also be more complex due to factors such as poverty, gender-based violence and homelessness.

“Ana Liffey’s excellent women’s health programme was originally funded in 2024 through my department’s Women’s Health Action Plan. In its short time in operation it has had an incredible impact, supporting homeless women and women at risk of homelessness to access the health services to which they are entitled.

“From its pilot beginnings, this programme is helping to reduce inequities and supporting women to enjoy better health outcomes. I’m privileged to have had the opportunity to visit the service myself and I’m very pleased to confirm that under Budget 2026 I have secured recurring funding of €126,562 to ensure its continuation.

“The Women’s Health and LEAR programmes demonstrate what is possible when services are built around dignity, compassion and real partnership. This aligns with the health-led approach under the National Drugs Strategy. I want to acknowledge the courage and determination of the people engaging with these supports – their progress is a powerful reminder that recovery and change are possible.

“I also commend the Ana Liffey Drug Project team and colleagues in HSE Midwest and the Midwest Regional Drug Task Force for their ongoing work in supporting some of the most marginalised people in our communities.”

PJ, who has been supported through Ana Liffey’s LEAR service spoke about his journey to recovery with the support of the programme “That guard went over and beyond for me, like. He said, ‘wait there, I’m taking my break early’. He recommended me to link in with LEAR for my detox. And in fairness to Ana Liffey, they were with me every single day”.

The Minister also acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the community and voluntary sector, the Health Service Executive, and local partners in responding to addiction and related harms in a holistic and effective way.

Dawn Russell, CEO of Ana Liffey Drug Project, welcomed the Minister’s visit and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to delivering accessible, evidence-based services that put people first.

Ana Liffey Drug Project has been providing services in the Mid-West since 2012 and continues to play a vital role in supporting individuals, families and communities affected by drug and alcohol use.

For more information on the Ana Liffey Drug Project visit their website www.aldp.ie and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.