Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

121 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will accede to ongoing requests from the local drugs task forces for his Department to be represented at senior level on each of the task forces in order that the education system can play its part in tackling the drugs issue, particularly in view of the rejection of his proposal that the education co-ordinator of the local partnership be that representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11817/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

In early March my Department wrote to the chairpersons of the fourteen local drugs task forces on the issue of representation by it on the task forces.

The chairpersons were informed that my Department had decided, following consultation with Area Development Management Limited, that the education co-ordinators on the relevant area partnerships would represent the Department on the task forces. At the same time ADM Limited also notified the managers of the relevant area partnerships that my Department had decided to proceed with the nomination of the education co-ordinator in their partnership as its representative on the local drugs task force in their area.

My Department also advised the task forces that any educational issues of particular concern in a task force area, which could not be adequately resolved through this representation process, could be referred to my Department through the education co-ordinator. In this regard, two senior officials of my Department have been nominated as contact persons to address or refer onwards for appropriate attention specific education issues.

In addition, this process will also be supported by my Department and ADM arranging regular meetings of its officials, the education co-ordinators and the chairpersons of the task forces to facilitate discussions with the task forces on particular education issues which impact across all task force areas.

Given the absence of regional or local structures in my Department, I am satisfied that these structures and arrangements are a suitable and a pragmatic solution to the issue of representation on the task forces. My Department or ADM has not received any communication from the task forces that these arrangements are not acceptable.