I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 146 to 148, inclusive, and 150 together.
Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority of the Government. This commitment is evidenced by the increasing levels of funding provided to my Department to tackle the drugs issue. The allocation of over €63m this year represents an increase of 28% on the 2007 allocation. This allocation will facilitate progress towards the fulfilment of commitments in the Programme for Government in regard to initiatives to facilitate rehabilitation and to tackle the problem of cocaine, the development of Drug Task Force projects and the increased targeting of "at risk" young people through the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund.
The majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs), the Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF). Local and Regional Drug Task Force projects normally originate at community level and are submitted through Drug Task Forces to the National Drugs Strategy Team who make recommendations to me on funding. Again, under the YPFSF, projects are normally brought to the Development Groups for the 18 urban areas involved. The Development Groups submit proposals as they see fit to the National Assessment Committee of the YPFSF, chaired by my Department, and recommendations to me arise from there.
Over 440 Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) projects, including those under the Emerging Needs Fund, are receiving funding from my Department. The 2008 allocation for such projects shows an increase of 9.5% over the amount spent in 2007. In the region of 200 of these projects focus on treatment and rehabilitation. Across the ten Regional Drug Task Force (RDTF) areas, work is progressing on the implementation of their Action Plans with the level of expenditure expected to increase by 40% this year. In 2007 a total of 67 treatment and rehabilitation projects were approved for funding and this is expected to rise to around 90 in 2008. In addition, all Drug Task Forces can access capital funding under a Premises Initiative. Already this year, I have announced capital funding of €1.5m to eleven projects, a number of which focus on treatment and rehabilitation.
With regard to Co. Kildare, funding was made available to the Community Drug Team for Kildare and West Wicklow last year and €0.34m will be allocated for this in 2008. Some of the other funding provided to the South West Area RDTF will also provide benefit across their region of operation, including Co. Kildare. On top of this, a sum in the region of €170,000 has been made available to Teen Challenge, a rehabilitation project at Shechem House, Richardstown, Co. Kildare, arising from applications through the South Inner City LDTF in Dublin. Meanwhile, capital funding of €22,354 was approved to Newbridge Family Resource Centre in June 2007 under the Premises Initiative for the purchase and installation of a semi-permanent structure to provide a dedicated drop-in facility for "at risk" youth. I can assure the Deputy that adequate resources will continue to be made available to support drug treatment programmes.