Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Strategy.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

140 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the promised annual report on activity and progress towards the achievement of specific prevention, supply reduction and treatment targets for drugs will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/03]

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

144 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the structures which will exist to allow the community and voluntary sector to be involved and to be included in the findings contained in the annual report of the national drugs strategy. [24161/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 144 together.

Under the national drugs strategy 2001-2008, my Department is obliged to publish an annual report on the nature and extent of drug use in Ireland and on progress made in achieving the objectives set out in the strategy. In this context, my Department is currently preparing the first such report which will cover the period 2001-02. Among other matters, this report will include the latest available statistics in relation to treatment, seizures and any relevant surveys or research released in that period. The Deputies will appreciate that many of these statistics, including the Garda and Customs and Excise figures for 2002, will not be available until later in the year. I anticipate publication of the first report on the strategy in early 2004.

As regards the involvement of the community and voluntary sectors, both of these sectors are represented on the national drugs strategy team which will have an input into the annual report.

Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 80.

Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 85.

Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 140.

Question No. 145 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 97.