Vol. 495 No. 5
36 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the amount of money allocated and paid out to date under the measures proposed by the ministerial task force to reduce the demand for drugs; if the external evaluation of the drugs initiative referred to in reply to parliamentary questions on 24 June 1998 has been completed; if so, the findings in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20443/98]
154 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has received the report of the external evaluator appointed by his Department to carry out an independent evaluation of the Government's drug initiative; and if he will publish the report. [17683/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 154 together.
Ten million pounds was allocated by the Government to support the implementation of over 220 projects included in the service development plans developed by the local drugs task forces established under the Government's drugs initiative. Up to July 1998, £2.9 million had been paid out to over 140 projects. Funding is drawn down in instalments as it is expended, in accordance with Government accounting procedures.
The external evaluation of the drugs initiative has been completed and the final report is due to be submitted to my Department within a matter of days. The findings and recommendations of the report will inform a wider review of the Government's National Drugs Strategy which is being undertaken under the auspices of the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. The evaluation report will be made public to interested parties in due course as part of this process.
Once the review has been completed, I will bring proposals to Government on the future of the national drugs strategy.
