Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.

Michael Joe Cosgrave

Question:

176 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of task forces or special committees set up in his Department since 1997; the date they were established; the terms of reference of each; if they have reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24495/01]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

The following task forces or special committees have been set up in my Department since 1997. The National Drugs Strategy Review Group, chaired by the Department, was set up in April 2000. Its terms of reference, in line with the commitment to review the current drugs strategy contained in the Review of the Government Programme and in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, were to identify the latest available data on the extent and nature of problem drug use in the country as a whole, any emerging trends in drug misuse and the areas with the greatest level of problem drug use; outline the current national drugs strategy, including the role of the statutory agencies and the community and voluntary sectors, in terms of supply reduction, education, prevention and awareness, risk reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, interagency co-ordination and integration as well as community-voluntary sector participation in the design and delivery of the strategies; examine the impact of the current national drugs strategy across the headings listed in the context of the objectives set for it and the resources allocated to date; identify any major gaps and deficiencies presenting across these headings; examine international trends, developments and best practice models; and in the light of the foregoing, consider how the current national drugs strategy, including the structures involved in its development and delivery, can be revised or modified to meet the gaps and deficiencies identified. The group reported in April 2001 and the new National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 was launched on 10 May 2001.

The Interim advisory committee on drugs which was chaired by the Minister of State at my Department was established in July 1999. Its terms of reference were to identify current information sets and research capacity in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of drug misuse in Ireland; to specify priority information requirements for policy, both in respect of baseline data and ongoing monitoring; to propose a reporting framework in which information from statutory services, voluntary bodies and community groups can be gathered, analysed and interpreted; to review international co-operation with regard to information and research on all aspects of drug misuse; to identify mechanisms for ensuring the most effective use of resources in all aspects of information gathering and analysis with respect to drug misuse; to recommend a prioritised three year programme of research and evaluation on the extent, nature, causes and effects of drug misuse in Ireland, identifying the contribution to be made by all the relevant interests; and in the light of this programme, to recommend a structure and composition for a national advisory committee which would have continuing responsibility for research and information on drug misuse in Ireland. It reported in February 2000 and on the basis of its recommendations the national advis ory committee was established by the Government in July 2000.

An interdepartmental group to review the sports capital programme was established in July 1998. It was chaired by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. Its terms of reference were to review the sports capital programme with the objective of promoting a more strategic approach to the use of available resources for sport and recreation in Ireland. The group reported to me in December 1998 following which a revised sports capital programme was put in place for the 1999 round of sports capital grants.

I also established an interdepartmental working group in August 1999 to develop guidelines and advise on the other key issues for the operation of a public-private partnership approach in relation to swimming pools. The terms of reference of the working group were to prepare a guidance document for local authorities which identifies the key issues in relation to the adoption of a PPP approach to the development of local authority swimming facilities. The working group reported in October 2000 and consideration of its findings is nearing completion. This consideration is taking into account recent developments in the area of PPPs, including the agreement of a national PPP policy framework, which sets out principles underlying the PPP process in Ireland and the publication of the State Authorities (Public Private Partnership Arrangements) Bill, 2001, an enabling Bill in relation to the powers of state authorities to enter into PPPs and local authority powers to enter into joint ventures.