Vol. 555 No. 4
185 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to continue to fund programmes to tackle the community drugs problem in Dublin south west; if initiatives are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/02]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department funds the work of the fourteen local drugs task forces, LDTF, including Tallaght local drugs task force. These task forces, which were established in 1997, operate in the areas experiencing the highest levels of opiate misuse in Dublin, Cork and Bray. Each LDTF comprises a partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. In this way, the community and voluntary sectors input directly into shaping drug service provision in their local areas. The task forces draft local action plans for their areas and most, including Tallaght, are currently implementing their second round of plans.
To date, the Government has allocated more than €51 million to implement the plans of all of the local drugs task forces. In addition, more than €11 million has been allocated through the special premises initiative to meet the accommodation needs of community-based drugs projects. The plans fund a range of projects run by community and voluntary organisations in areas such as treatment, rehabilitation, awareness, prevention and education. In this regard, Tallaght local drugs task force has been allocated more than €5.2 million, in respect of both of their action plans and funding under the premises initiative.
In addition, funding of just under €2.8 million has been allocated to projects in the Tallaght LDTF area under the young peoples facilities and services fund. This fund assists in the development of preventative strategies through the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities and services, in areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop.
All of these allocations are taking place in the context of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The strategy, which my Department co-ordinates, is an eight-year policy framework that brings together all the elements of drugs policy in Ireland.
