Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
986 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if sufficient funding will be provided for services (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who provide vital and essential services to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48537/09]
View answer987 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [1243/10]
View answer989 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on a programme (details supplied) in Dublin 17; the proposed closure of the project in 2011 in view of the beneficial impact of the programme on persons recovering from addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1636/10]
View answer990 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on a programme (details supplied) in Dublin 17; the proposed closure of the project in 2011 in view of the beneficial impact of the programme on persons recovering from addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1638/10]
View answer991 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the 30% cut in 2010 funding for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/10]
View answer992 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the 30% cut in 2010 funding for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/10]
View answer1037 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department administers the local drugs task force mainstreamed fund which provide supports to local youth services; the persons who are eligible to apply for moneys from this fund; the budget for same in the last three years; the changes resulting to it from budget 2010; if he will consider reversing any cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1009/10]
View answer1067 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [1244/10]
View answer1070 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the rationale used in making cuts to youth services and youth work funding; if an analysis of outcomes and cost benefit analysis has been carried out before implementing such cuts; the recourse youth services such as those in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11, have for appealing the reduction in €182,000 in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 986, 987, 989 to 992, inclusive, 1037, 1067 and 1070 together.
My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including those projects specifically referred to by Deputies Broughan, Gogarty, McGrath and Upton. These projects, through a variety of programmes and activities, seek, in the main, to encourage young people not to engage in drug-taking. My Department originally took on responsibility for funding these projects through a mainstreaming process, whereby projects on interim funding were assigned to a number of Departments and State agencies.
Thirty five of the projects are administered by the three VECs in Dublin City, Dublin County and in Dún Laoghaire, while the remaining three projects are funded directly by my Department. The allocations for the 38 projects over the past three years were as follows:
2007 — €3,621,000;
2008 — €3,715,000;
2009 — €3,643,000.
Arising from Budget 2010, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011. I acknowledge the difficulties which this decision will entail for the projects, but would emphasise the fact that the prevailing financial position meant that very difficult decisions had to be made, including that relating to these 38 projects.
Notwithstanding this decision, my Department has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution in support of the prevention pillar of the National Drugs Strategy through the following initiatives: — the introduction of a social, personal and health education, or SPHE, curriculum at primary level and at junior cycle, second-level; — the initiatives under delivering equality of opportunity in schools, or DEIS action plan, and the school support programme to prevent early school-leaving and achieve better educational outcomes for students; and — the guidelines on substance use policies issued to all schools.
The SPHE programme is the foundation for developing awareness of drugs and alcohol issues in schools. It is a mandatory part of the curriculum at primary level and junior cycle at second level. The substance use modules of SPHE are augmented by two support programmes, the Walk Tall programme at primary level and On My Own Two Feet at post-primary. The implementation of these programmes in schools is supported by full-time support services at primary and second level, which provide professional development for teachers and advice and support to schools.
The DEIS action plan for educational inclusion is aimed at identifying and tackling levels of disadvantage and it provides the basis for school supports to, among others, schools located in Local Drugs Task Force areas. Supports targeting children most at risk of leaving school early are currently being enhanced through the integration of the relevant services, that is, the school completion programme, home-school community liaison and the visiting teacher service for Travellers, under the National Educational Welfare Board.
