Bernard J. Durkan
Question:848 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding for groups involved in combating the drugs problem. [12115/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (783)
Written answers
My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. It aims to tackle the drug problem in the most comprehensive way ever undertaken and contains 100 actions to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies.
My Department also has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces that were established in 1997 in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse. All of the LDTFs, with the exception of Bray, are currently implementing their second round of action plans. The Government has allocated or spent approximately €65 million to implement approximately 500 projects contained in the two plans operated by the task forces since 1997. Over €11.6 million was allocated to 37 projects under the premises initiative. It is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects, the majority of which are in LDTF areas.
Approximately €72 million was allocated to support approximately 450 facility and services projects in LDTF areas and four urban centres under the YPFSF. The main aim of the fund is to attract at risk young people in disadvantaged areas to recreational facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse.
Question No. 849 answered with QuestionNo. 846.