Trevor Sargent
Question:21 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9972/02]
Written Answers. - Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs.
Joe Higgins
Question:22 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs met in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10106/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion has met three times to date in 2002. Meetings took place on 23 January, 13 February and 26 March.
The Cabinet committee continues to give political direction to the Government's social inclusion policies including the national drugs strategy. The meetings provide an opportunity to review trends, assess progress in the relevant strategies and programmes and resolve any policy and organisational problems which may arise.
Progress on the implementation of the national drugs strategy will be monitored through the presentation of six-monthly progress reports to the Cabinet committee. The first of these progress reports was presented at the meeting on 23 January.
Questions Nos. 23 to 30, inclusive, answered orally.