Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

Is it not the problem that the Minister is ignoring the scale of the drugs problem? The Minister is making €1 million available in the emerging needs fund. Is it not the case that projects identified and approved under the criteria agreed with the Department require €4 million to be implemented? The Minister is only making €1 million available at a time when we are told there are huge budgetary surpluses available to the Government. I hope the Minister will answer my specific questions.

Projects have been approved by the national drugs strategy team for which approximately €12 million is required but the Minister of State is only prepared to commit approximately €5 million. As a result of both of these failures to respond to the scale of the problem, the planned strategic response to the drug problem by the regional drugs task forces will soon be in a shambles. This is due to cuts and a refusal to recognise the needs that exist. Is it not the case that as a result of what I have outlined and continued attempts to get the Minister and the Department in touch with reality, a long serving and committed member of the national drugs strategy team has submitted his resignation to the Minister?

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