Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006
1260 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 4 May 2006, the decisions she has made in the context of extending the Walk Tall programme to areas of disadvantage other than the local drug task force areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28588/06]
View answerProposals for extending the Substance Misuse Prevention Programme (‘Walk Tall' Programme) to other areas of disadvantage outside the Local Drugs Task Force Areas (LDTFAs) have been made by the Steering Committee of the ‘Walk Tall' Programme.
The proposals have been received in my Department where they are currently being considered by my officials. This consideration involves consultation with the "Walk Tall" Support Programme personnel to explore, amongst other issues, the feasibility of extending the Programme to areas of disadvantage which are outside the local drugs taskforces. This includes the deployment of resources to areas of most need in accordance with the National Drug Strategy 2001-2008, including Urban Band 1 and 2 schools which are identified in the DEIS (Delivering Equality in Schools) programme.
I have been assured that this work has almost been completed and that a range of options in relation to any proposed extension of the "Walk Tall" Programme will be given to me for consideration in the context of demands for the service and available resources.
