Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This provides for a 20% reduction in the provision of moneys to tackle the drugs crisis in our society. The 5% reduction relates to both the Estimate and the outturn and it equates to €1.524 million. It is in no way reflective of the required response to the ever increasing threat from drug addiction in society demonstrating itself not only in the larger population centres, but throughout the State. Huge concern is created by it and the impact it will have on local and regional drugs task forces and the ability to address this issue across all the various headings. Supply, reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation research, etc., are the key pillars of address. This is an irresponsible reduction, given the gravity and the increasing reality of the threat drug addiction presents in our society. My request is that the Minister revisits this and withdraws the cutback. It is wholly inappropriate. The situation should be in the reverse.