Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I do not know why we always concentrate on this fund when it is only a small part of our overall expenditure. If the Deputy is a member of a drugs task force, he will be aware of the good work they do. I am not a member of one, and I have not been able to be one for the past three years. I previously was a member of one, however, and I know the good work done locally by many good people. I sincerely hope that we are not stymieing them. I understand that a campaign is under way, although I am unsure of the agenda.

I am probably responsible for one thing, namely, the Deputy's first question. It was envisaged that this would be an extra-special little fund to deal with emerging needs. That was the attitude in the Department, which I shared. I hope that I made that clear at various meetings, but I did not put it down in writing. To the extent that I did not specifically state the figure of €1 million, I am probably partly responsible. However, in all other respects, I am very much working with people and considering the issue. It was not to be the overall policy on drugs or the overall Government social inclusion programme, and some projects come through that are not really emerging needs. They should turn to other Departments or agencies.

That was last year. We have more money this year, and I sincerely hope that we will be able to fund some of them once the good ones have been identified. I very much want to encourage and help work locally.

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