Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2012
174. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that funding will be provided to allow the retention of the important estate management projects in areas (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the concerns of the local community in respect of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53555/12]
View answerThe projects concerned operated as mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department’s housing programme. Following significant reductions in the funding available to support the projects in 2012 my Department, exceptionally, provided pro rata funding to support the projects until end June 2012.
Following a consultation process South Dublin County Council identified interim funding to maintain the projects during the second half of 2012. The funding was identified on a partnership basis between the Council and the Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force. The Council has advised that this funding represented a once-off contribution and has allowed the project additional time to explore alternative funding mechanisms and to identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the project beyond 2012, including through alternative service delivery models.
The interim funding has also allowed the project to continue while the report of my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy on the review of the structures that underpin the strategy at local, regional and national level is finalised. It is understood that this report will be made available once deliberations are completed.
