Vol. 558 No. 6
15 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she proposes to increase the number of training employment opportunities for drug misusers by 30% by the end of 2004 as promised in view of the cutbacks in her Department's budget for 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24513/02]
68 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which the cutbacks in community employment spaces will affect the proposed increase in the number of training employment opportunities for drug misusers by 30% by the end of 2004. [24543/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 68 together.
Community employment places providing services under the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 are ring-fenced. There are currently 1,000 places reserved by FÁS on the community employment programme for persons who have been involved in substance abuse and this allocation has not been affected by the recent reductions in the overall number of places available on the programme. Overall, approximately 800 community employment places are currently providing labour market services to persons recovering from drug misuse. I have no immediate plans to increase the number of places reserved for the drugs task force as the current allocation of places has not been filled.
