I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 40 together.
The young peoples facilities and services fund, YPFSF, was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities – including sport and recreational facilities – and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The objective of the fund is primarily preventative in nature in that it seeks to divert "at risk" young people away from the dangers of substance abuse, as opposed to the provision of treatment services for drug misusers.
To date, the main focus of the fund has been in the 14 local drugs task force, LDTF, areas and four urban areas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow, where a serious drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. To date, more than €59 million has been allocated under the fund to support approximately 350 projects.
The national assessment committee, NAC, for the fund, which is chaired by my Department, is currently considering a number of strategic issues relating to the fund and in this context, the committee recently met each of the development groups. Among the issues discussed were the completion of round 1 facility projects and the staffing and management of the bigger scale facilities; and the mainstreaming of round 1 services projects, which have been successfully evaluated, thereby ensuring their continued funding by the relevant statutory agencies; and their priorities for round 2 of the fund.