kate.gibney@hse.ie 021 493 0100

Our Staff

Co-Ordinator – Kate Gibney

Kate lives in North Cork with her two children. Kate is an avid runner and enjoys competing in road races. She represented Ireland in basketball in underage level and went on to receive a scholarship at Illinois State University. She has worked in Drug & Alcohol Services in a variety of settings for the past 18 years. She became Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator in 2010 where she had the responsibility for implementing the National Rehabilitation Framework throughout the region. Prior to Co-Ordinating the Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force she was Co-Ordinator for the Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force.

Development Worker – Gordan Kinsley

Gordan lives in Youghal, East Cork and is married with two children. Gordan was heavily involved in the founding of Ladies football in Youghal and is currently involved at Inter-county level in Cork. Has been a keen swimmer over the years with All Ireland and Munster medals and participated in many National and International Surf Lifesaving competitions with Cork Surf Lifesaving .

Has been involved in the area of Drug And Alcohol support over 21 years working providing different levels of interventions. A graduate from CIT  in 2005 with a BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, has been involved in the development of  many alternative policy proposals which can be seen in our research portal. In 2008 worked in partnership with the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce in the development of a strategic response to Service User Involvement, Action 42 of the National Drugs Strategy. This led to a strategic plan adopted across two regions with training tool kit for all services. Many other developments over the years included;

  • Coordinated Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign in the Cork and Kerry region
  • Development of Heroin Strategy for Southern Region
  • Strengthen the Community response to Drug and Alcohol by developing advisory networks
  • Strategic approach to drug prevention training across sectors
  • Embedding Brief On Line Intervention (E-Pub) into local Institutions
  • Over seen Regionalisation project in the region

Role of Task Force Staff:

  • Profiles all existing or planned services or resources available in the Task Force area to address the drugs issue;
  • Facilitates multi-sectoral collaboration through increased participation in the Task Force;
  • Supports the Task Force in reviewing emerging needs and prioritising responses;
  • Disseminates information on local drugs issues, the Task Force plans, services and other responses;
  • Establishes mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the Task Force plans, which are consistent with the overall aims and objectives of the National Drugs Strategy;
  • Ensures a proper evaluation framework is put in place for Task Force funded projects, so as to ensure their effective delivery, based on agreed objectives as outlined in the local area plan.
  • To work across Counties Cork & Kerry (excluding Cork City) and deliver a Strategic Plan, developed by the Task Force, under the National Drugs Strategy.
  • To develop and support community based responses to drug & alcohol misuse.
  • To provide support to existing services, working in the field of drugs & alcohol.
  • To provide up to date information to the Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force, in order that a cohesive response be developed to issues as they arise.
  • To work towards the improvement in service provision for those who are experiencing issues related to drug and alcohol misuse.
  • To provide feedback to the Drugs Programme Unit and contribute to national policy development.
  • To ensure that a real partnership approach is developed in response to drug and alcohol misuse.
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