Bernard J. Durkan
Question:242 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he can offer support to communities combating drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33521/04]
View answerTuesday, 14 December 2004
Questions (220)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The strategy contains 100 individual actions, under the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research, to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies. It also has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund.
To date more than €80 million has been allocated or spent to implement the various projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the local drugs task forces, a further €12.8 million has been allocated to projects under the premises initiative which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects and approximately €75 million has been allocated or spent under the first two rounds of funding from the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund.
The Deputy should also note that under the strategy, regional drugs task forces have been established throughout the country. The regional drugs task forces are currently developing their regional plans which I hope to be in a position to submit to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion for approval in early 2005. A sum of €5 million per annum has been earmarked by my Department to fund these plans.