Vol. 520 No. 1
359 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the study facilitated by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice on the drugs crisis in the Cherry Orchard/Ballyfermot area, Dublin 10; and his response to the recommendations made therein. [14805/00]
The Ballyfermot local drugs task force, which comprises representatives from key State agencies and local community and voluntary groups, has been mandated to develop an integrated response to the drug problem in the Ballyfermot-Cherry Orchard area. The task force already received an earlier allocation of £922,000 to implement its original action plan, which contained a comprehensive range of measures to support drug users and their families. They are currently updating this plan and I am arranging for the study to be brought to their attention for consideration in that context.
360 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when the National Drugs Strategy Team will make a decision in respect of a funding proposal from the Killinarden drugs programme, endorsed by the Tallaght drugs task force, in view of the urgency for funding for a new premises for this organisation; if he will come to an early decision in relation to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14867/00]
The local drugs task forces are currently preparing updated drug action plans for their areas and the Government has allocated £15 million to support their implementation. The plans are expected to be submitted to the national drugs strategy team for assessment in the coming months.
The Tallaght drugs task force has submitted a proposal on behalf of the Killinarden drugs programme and the national drugs strategy team has asked the local drugs task force for confirmation that the application comes within the ambit of the overall plan which the local drugs task force is preparing for the area.
