Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
33 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress made in accessing funding for an organisation (details supplied). [22116/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra47 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the funding situation of the three mainstream development workers funded under social inclusion in the canals area of Dublin. [22115/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra53 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider his decision to withdraw his Department’s representative from the drug advisory group. [22118/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 47 and 53 together.
As part of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the 2012 estimates process, difficult decisions had to be taken in relation to prioritising funding for core services in all programme areas. The funding estimate to support the mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department's Housing programme for 2012 was €100,000, compared with €400,000 in 2011. In view of this, my Department informed the relevant local authority that it would not be possible to continue funding the projects concerned throughout 2012. Pro rata funding will be provided to fund the projects concerned until end June 2012 in order to allow the projects and other bodies to explore alternative funding mechanisms and identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the projects beyond end June 2012.
More broadly, and in the context of a public funding provision of €260 million for drugs programmes across all Departments and agencies in 2011, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, is currently undertaking a review of the structures that underpin the National Drugs Strategy at local, regional and national level, including how the current funding structures can be improved or streamlined, particularly in relation to local and regional drugs task forces. The outcomes of this review are expected shortly and will clarify, inter alia, the position on the most appropriate funding mechanisms for community based drugs projects.
In relation to my Department's representation on the Drugs Advisory Group, this matter is being kept under review in the context of overall Departmental resources and priorities. In the meantime, my Department continues to facilitate full engagement with the Department of Health in relation to any relevant issues arising under the National Drugs Strategy.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 32.
