Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drugs Task Force.

Tony Gregory

Question:

261 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if the pilot Community Policing Forum as developed by the north inner city drugs task force has been approved and sanctioned for mainstreaming; the Department through which the forum will be mainstreamed; if the Community Policing Forum for the Cabra area as proposed by the Finglas-Cabra drugs task force has been sanctioned to commence; if the Garda authorities are committed to full participation in the Cabra forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32392/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr. E. Ryan)

Projects from the first round of local drugs task force action plans were evaluated in two phases. The first phase of successfully evaluated projects as mainstreamed through the relevant Departments and agencies, thereby ensuring their continued funding, from 1 January 2001.

The second phase of projects is currently being evaluated, including the Community Policing Forum in the north inner city. Recommendations concerning the mainstreaming of these projects will be made upon completion of this evaluation, early in 2002, and the channel of funding for all of the successfully evaluated projects will be determined at that stage.

As regards the proposal by Finglas-Cabra local drugs task force in relation to community policing-estate management fora, the funding for this proposal has been approved in principle by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. I understand that the putting in place of the requisite structures is currently being addressed by the Garda Síochána.

The gardaí have further informed me that they are fully committed to working in partnership with the community in all of the local drugs task force areas.