As the Deputy is aware, my Department has responsibility for overseeing the work of the Local Drugs Task Force, LDTFs, which are based in 14 areas of high drug misuse in Dublin, Cork and Bray. The LDTFs are made up of representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors and each area has developed a local action plan. The selection of projects, and the funding allocated, is based on the task force's prioritisation of the identified needs within its area and the ability of the proposed projects to meet those needs. Most of the LDTFs are currently implementing their second round plans and, to date, over €14 million has been allocated to implement these plans. As funding for the LDTFs is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not open to me to re-allocate funding within these plans. Furthermore, it should be noted that these are the only moneys available under this initiative to fund such projects.
As regards the SWAN project, this group has been allocated funding of €19,046 under the second round plan of the Tallaght LDTF. To date, projects under both of the task force plans for Tallaght, including mainstreamed projects, have been allocated over €4 million. In addition, just over €1.4 million has been allocated to drugs projects in the area under the premises initiative and approximately €2.8 million has been allocated to Tallaght under the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF. Funding for the YPFSF is held by the Department of Education and Science.
Finally, the Deputy should note that my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Micheál Martin, has responsibility for funding decisions made by the South-Western Area Health Board.
