The Deputy will be aware from replies given on foot of previous questions that my Department and the bodies under its aegis are responsible for a wide range of schemes operated for the benefit of both urban and rural communities across the country.
With specific reference to those schemes under which financial assistance is provided to urban communities directly by my Department, I am pleased to advise the Deputy as follows. Support of some €7,469,161 was provided to the 14 local drugs task forces (LDTFs) in 2002, bringing the amount allocated or spent to implement around 500 projects contained in the plans of the task forces since 1997 to over €65 million. A further €2,452,089 has been allocated for the support of the LDTFs in 2003. Further funding of more than €11.5 million has been allocated to LDTF areas under the premises initiative, including €4,309,000 in 2002. An allocation of €1,192,000 has been provided under the premises initiative in 2003.
Assistance to a value of €59 million has also been provided under the young people's facilities and services fund in task force areas and selected urban areas where a drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. That includes expenditure in 2002 of €15,933,099, while the allocation for 2003 is €10,879,386.