Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The funding that comes through the local drugs task force and the Department is to deal with gaps in existing services. Services are provided across a range of Departments. A sum of approximately €50 million is spent on projects that started at local drugs task force level. In fact, the scale of Government investment is such that I do not believe people who are actively involved ever dreamt there would be such a level of investment and manpower provided. Almost 600 people are now working on drugs task force projects and young people's fund projects. Eight or nine years ago people did not ever imagine that such a level of resources would be provided.

Despite that, they sought additional funding this year because of the emerging needs and changing situation. I acknowledge that the situation is changing all the time. As a result, we agreed to provide funding despite all the other demands and the 18% increase provided this year. The figures of €5 million and €12 million quoted by the Deputy refer to the regional drugs task forces. There was another round of the young people's fund and another round of the premises fund. There were also the cocaine initiatives. There are many projects. If I allocate €5 million to a group or team to come up with plans, I mean €5 million. Some people think that when one says €5 million they can look for €25 million. If somebody comes up with a proposal costing €6 million, one might try to push the line a little but people must——

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