Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
122 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason very little progress has been made to date by the regional drugs task forces; when he expects the publication of strategies by each of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11920/04]
View answerThe National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 provides for the establishment of ten regional drugs task forces, RDTFs throughout the country.
I assure the Deputy that much progress has been made to date in establishing the RDTFs and getting them under-way. They are currently mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas — as well as the range and level of existing services — with a view to better co-ordination and addressing gaps in the overall provision. In this context, it should be noted that an amount of €500,000 has been provided by my Department, in the current year, for administrative and technical assistance costs incurred by the RDTFs in their ongoing work.
The work currently under-way by the RDTFs is likely to take up most of the current year and will then feed into the drafting of regional action plans, which will be assessed by the National Drugs Strategy Team. I am hopeful that all of this work can be completed by early next year and I will then bring recommendations in relation to the funding of the plans to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion.
I expect the RDTFs to be in a position to begin the implementation of their plans by mid-2005. The question of publishing the plans will be a matter for the individual health boards.
