Vol. 552 No. 3
171 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement confirming that he will meet the concerns of the Rialto community drug team as set out in correspondence of 14 April 2002 to the Taoiseach (details supplied). [12377/02]
I have received a copy of the letter in question from the Rialto community drug team and I am aware of their concerns.
A comparatively small number of projects presented by the local drugs task forces in their new action plans have been assessed as being more relevant to other mainstream programmes and initiatives and, accordingly, the inter-departmental group on drugs, IDG, and the national drugs strategy team, NDST, are currently exploring the possibility of funding them through such programmes.
The Deputy should note that an amount of €2.45 million was allocated for projects in the canal communities local drugs task force area to implement the first round of drug forces plans there. In addition, an amount of approximately €935,000 was allocated to mainstream a number of projects in that same plan.
Meanwhile of funding allocated by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion to implement the second round of local drugs task force plans, the Canal Communities Local Drugs Task Force has been allocated an amount of €930,083 under this round. Furthermore, another additional €1,155,465 has also been allocated to address the premises needs of drugs projects in the area.
