Vol. 573 No. 3
715 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group (details supplied) has been given notice by its landlord and is facing closure in December 2003; his plans to assist the organisation to continue operating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25740/03]
722 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will fund the requirements of an organisation (details supplied) in its work of facilitating the rehabilitation of drug users. [25574/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 and 722 together.
The local drugs task force premises initiative provides capital funding towards the cost of putting in place facilities, either through purchasing or leasing of premises, refurbishment of existing premises or the development of new buildings or sections thereof, for the provision of services to drug misusers in local areas. The premises initiative constitutes a €12.7 million programme covering the period 2001-04.
In the first instance, local drugs task forces submit applications to the national drugs strategy team for funding under the initiative and the team, in turn, submits recommendations to my Department for consideration. To date, no recommendation has been received by my Department on the funding of the project in question.
