Vol. 491 No. 1
13 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the progress made to date in terms of securing corporate support for the drugs initiative as envisaged in the second report of the Ministerial Task Force on Measures to Reduce Demand for Drugs; and if the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs has promulgated guidelines to the corporate sector in relation to soliciting financial contributions for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11329/98]
Discussions are continuing with interested parties on the question of obtaining contributions from the corporate sector towards the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund. I previously indicated that these discussions would be brought to conclusion as soon as detailed arrangements for the operation of the fund had been finalised. The guidelines for the operation of the fund in the task force areas were published yesterday. They set out in general terms the objectives of the fund in the task force areas; the process by which integrated plans for each area will be developed and assessed; and the broad criteria that will be applied in assessing the plans.
The guidelines provide for funding under five broad headings: the enhancement and integration of existing facilities and services for young people in the target areas; the development of new viable facilities and amenities, including sport and recreational facilities, in these areas where a gap has been identified; the development of strategies to attract "at risk" young people into the facilities; the development of additional youth services for the target group; and the provision of support to voluntary and community groups and organisations working with "at-risk" young people".
An assessment committee, chaired by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, with representatives drawn from relevant Government Departments and agencies and the National Drugs Strategy Team, whose representation will include a voluntary-community representative, will assess all plans on the basis of the criteria established. It will make recommendations on funding to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs. The final decision to fund projects submitted will be taken by the Government on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs.
In broad terms, the plans will be assessed on the viability and sustainability of the individual projects within the plan; the level to which they are integrated with other services and facilities; the extent to which they are additional and complementary with regard to existing facilities and services; and the extent to which they maximise the use of resources.
I have written to the task force chairpersons asking them to convene the first meeting of the development groups, comprising representatives from the local drug task forces, the relevant local authority and VEC, which will be responsible for developing integrated plans for their areas. Now that the guidelines for the operation of the fund in the task force areas have been agreed, I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on securing corporate involvement in the fund in the near future.
