Vol. 575 No. 5
12 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his priorities in regard to his Department's recently published statement of strategy 2003 to 2005 for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28556/03]
The Deputy will be aware from my Department's strategy statement that the sectors-associated goals of the Department may be categorised under four headings: supporting community and local development by facilitating communities, with a special focus on areas of disadvantage, to pursue social and economic progress in their areas; tackling drug misuse by securing a more integrated and co-ordinated response by State agencies in tackling drug misuse; promoting rural, Gaeltacht and islands development by supporting living and working populations in these areas and fostering sustainable and culturally vibrant communities; and supporting the use of the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas and promoting the use of the language throughout the country.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the statement of strategy covers a three year period, my Department's priorities will adjust over time. This will happen as various objectives are achieved, or when intervening developments argue for sensible refocusing. Priorities at this time include community and local development, ensuring sustained and enhanced targeting of resources towards disadvantaged communities, achieving improved coherence across local and community development structures and reform of the law relating to charities.
Tackling drugs misuse is another priority with the continuing the implementation of the national drugs strategy, including implementing the plans of the local drugs task forces, overseeing the development of the regional drugs task forces and completing the research programme of the NACD. In this context, the drugs strategy will be reviewed in 2004, which will enable priorities for further action to be identified and a re-focusing of the strategy, if necessary.
