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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Richard Bruton

Question:

114 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans his Department has to provide the local drugs task forces with additional resources to employ additional workers as agreed previously in order to ensure the implementation of the task force plans in line with the recommendations made in the in-depth evaluation of the task forces 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14485/03]

Billy Timmins

Question:

148 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will fund a number of projects proposed by local drugs task forces for phase 2 of the drugs strategy, which are an integral part of the local plans to deal with the drug problem and which were subsequently taken out of these plans by his Department and referred to other State agencies and Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 148 together.

With regard to the issue raised by Deputy Bruton, the national drugs strategy team carried out a comprehensive review of local drugs task forces during 2002. The recommendations of this review are extremely valuable and helpful and have been discussed at meetings of the interdepartmental group on drugs, which I chair. The Deputy should note that many of the recommendations are currently being implemented.

The LDTFs continue to play a valuable role in tackling the drug problem in the areas of highest misuse, particularly opiate misuse. With regard to the question of additional resources, as my Department is currently involved in a consultation process on greater cohesion and integration across community and local development initiatives, I do not envisage the question of additional staff being considered until this process has been completed.

With regard to the other issue raised by Deputy Timmins, in March 2002, the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion approved a number of proposals under phase II of the action plans of the LDTFs. However, a number of projects had previously been identified by the NDST as being more appropriate for funding by agencies under mainstream programmes and initiatives. As a result, my Department wrote to the other relevant Departments and to the National Advisory Committee on Drugs asking them to consider funding the projects identified under their on-going programmes.

The matter is currently been pursued in conjunction with the LDTFs and the NDST.

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