Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions but I will be as quick as I can. First of all, the Minister of State and the officials referenced the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force report, which is an excellent report. It made the point that there is an urgent need to address the impact of crack cocaine on individuals, families and communities. This report said that, even before Covid-19, there was chronic underfunding. It looked for €1 million. Will the Minister of State and the Department provide that €1 million? That is my first question.

My second question relates to inner-city Dublin. I believe the Department has acted in contravention of the task force handbook in the appointment of the new chair. The actions that have been taken by the officials since then have been truly shocking. I listened to Mr. Walsh reply to Deputy Hourigan. It still does not answer the question. Is the funding there for the north inner city task force to keep doing the work it is doing? Like other Deputies, I see no evidence in relation to issues about governance, and if there are issues, this has to be an open and transparent conversation. I have serious issues with what is happening in the north inner city.

In relation to Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit, will the Minister of State give a commitment now that it will be reopened? It has been closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and I believe that has had serious implications. I am looking for that commitment.

On the 50 actions in the drug strategy for 2017-2020, there are five that seem to be missing. One of those is an action directly involving service and support for women who are pregnant. Will the Minister of State give me a response to that and to my other questions? If I have more time I hope to come back in. I ask the Minister of State and the officials to keep their responses brief because I have loads of questions we need answers to.