Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
329 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the future development of the drugs task forces located in the Dublin area; if they will continue to enjoy a direct relationship with their funding Department; if there are plans to make them accountable to subsidiary bodies such as the Dublin City Development Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/04]
View answerMy Department supports the ongoing work of the 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs. In this context, the Deputy should note that since 1997 almost €86 million has been allocated or spent by the task forces through their two rounds of local action plans. In addition, a further €12.7 million has been allocated under the LDTF premises initiative. The national drugs strategy team is currently working on proposals to support the work of the LDTFs in the future and these will be considered by my Department in due course.
In January 2004, following a review of the structures employed in the delivery of local and community development programmes, the Government agreed a number of measures aimed at improving delivery of services on the ground and improving cohesion and focus across the various programmes. In this context, city and county development boards have been given responsibility for considering and endorsing plans prepared by community and local development agencies with the aim of securing better co-ordination of services on the ground. The LDTFs, like other local development agencies, will therefore be required to submit any future action plans to the CDBs for consideration and endorsement.
