Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
321. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure and allocations attributable to drugs programmes that were made available in each of the past five years; the projects and programmes supported by the funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7111/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure and allocations attributable to the drugs programme that were made by An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years; the projects and programmes supported by the funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7117/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.
Drug-related public expenditure includes any drug-related spending across the various functions of government. Total expenditure is categorised under the Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG) system.
Broadly speaking, drug-related public expenditure is described as “labelled” or “unlabelled”.
- Labelled expenditure is identified as drug-related expenditure in government budgets.
- Unlabelled expenditure is not identified as specifically drug-related expenditure and must therefore be estimated.
As per the COFOG classification, the reported expenditure is not specific to particular projects and programmes, but relates to different categories of drug-related operations and services.
The figures reported for the Department of Justice and Equality relate to funding provided to the Maritime Operational and Analysis Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N) situated in Lisbon; the Drug Treatment Court; Community Based Organisations providing services to offenders (through the Probation Service) and youth crime diversion programmes (through the Irish Youth Justice Service). Expenditure by An Garda Síochána relates to policing and investigation costs.
In response to Question 323 I have provided detailed information on the drug treatment programme expenditure in the Irish Prison Service.
In regard to specific projects and programmes supported by funding provided by my Department and by An Garda Síochána, it was not possible to collate this information in the time allowed. I will provide the Deputy with this information as soon as it has been collated.
