Vol. 520 No. 5
98 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, he will outline the specific funding which has been provided from the young people's facilities and services fund for the provision of facilities and support services for young people at risk of becoming involved in drug mis-use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15922/00]
The purpose of the young people's facilities and services fund, established by the Govern ment in 1998, is to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop.
An Exchequer contribution of £34.8 million over three years has been set aside for this scheme and the funds have been allocated as follows: £7.2 million for the implementation of the children at risk programme of the Department of Health and Children; £24.8 million to the local drug task forces – 12 in Dublin – one in Cork and one in Bray; £1.8 million to the four major urban areas of Galway, Cork City South, Limerick and Waterford; £0.5 million to support strategies/proposals in Bray and Carlow; £0.5 million to voluntary organisations with a national or regional remit which have the capacity to deliver targeted education/prevention initiatives on a global basis or to communities of interest.
Excluding the Department of Health and Children projects, the vocational education committees and the local authorities are the respective channels of funding for the services – current – and for the facilities – capital – projects. The funds are in the Vote of my Department and £4.5 million approximately has been drawn down to date by these agencies on foot of claims received from project promoters. In addition, the Department of Health and Children has drawn down funding of £5.8 million in respect of their children at risk programme.
