Drug Treatment Programmes Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2014

Thursday, 2 October 2014

Questions (149)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large cumulative cuts suffered by front-line drugs services since 2008 and the impact this has had on the ability of drugs task forces to maintain drugs services in their communities and to counter emerging drugs issues; if he will ensure that there are no further cuts in 2015; and if he will examine the possibility of allowing the reinstatement of some drugs projects in 2015. [37537/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. Funding in 2015 for community drugs initiatives will be determined in the context of the Estimates process, taking into account the need to protect front line service provision as far as possible. In line with previous years, funding will be focused on areas where there is the highest concentration of drugs activity.