As the Deputy is aware, funding for pilot local drugs task force projects is channelled from my Department through a designated Department or State agency. This arrangement allows for the development of a funding and working relationship between the project and the State body with a view to that project's eventual mainstreaming. Mainstreaming is an important feature of the LDTF process whereby projects, which are deemed to be achieving their objectives, have their continued funding taken over by a designated Department or agency. Decisions on mainstreaming of local drugs task force projects are taken after they have been piloted and successfully evaluated.
In regard to the projects in question, the channel of funding for the community policing forum in the north inner city, which was contained in their first action plan, was Dublin City Council. That forum dealt with estate management and community policing issues. Upon completion of a successful evaluation, the city council agreed to mainstream the project.
The forum in the Finglas-Cabra task force is contained in their second action plan and will be funded through the Garda Síochána during its pilot phase. No decision on mainstreaming this project will be taken until it has been evaluated after the pilot period.
