Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Deputy Cyprian Brady.

I wish to reiterate the dangers associated with drug use, which have been graphically illustrated by the recent incident in my own city of Waterford where 15 people were hospitalised as a result of taking an illegal substance at a party. Thankfully, most were discharged from hospital but unfortunately, two young men are still in a coma and from what I hear, the prognosis is not very good. Our thoughts are with the Grey and Doyle families at this time. It is hoped that this incident will be a deterrent to others from getting involved in drug abuse even though it may be too late for those two young men.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey and his predecessor, Deputy Noel Ahern, on their tremendous work in this area. Both represent the constituency of Dublin North-West and will be well acquainted with the problem which they will have experienced on the ground in their constituency. Deputy Pat Carey was in Waterford last Tuesday to open a new community and youth building in Farranshooneen, which is in my own area of the city. It is ironic that 12 months ago, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, turned the sod for this building while the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, cut the opening ribbon. There is a little bit of Dublin North-West down around the Dunmore Road area of Waterford.

While in Waterford, the Minister of State met the regional drugs task force. Members of the task force were very impressed with the Minister of State's commitment to eradicate this problem in so far as possible. They were impressed with his common sense approach to the problem.

Much of the funding for the building to which I refer came from the young people's facilities and services fund. Waterford and other areas of the country have benefited from this fund. Diversion is the key tactic to be used. An effort must be made to divert young people before they become involved in drug or other substance abuse. The Minister of State also visited another building nearing completion close to the city centre. Waterford regional youth services have been proactive in providing these facilities.

Waterford City Council also is coming on board. In the past, many local authorities have been criticised, probably rightly, for simply building houses or allowing developments without putting in place other necessary facilities. Waterford City Council may be the first city council to have begun to so do. In the Carrickphierish-Gracedieu area of the city, playing fields for a GAA club already are being installed. The council also hopes to establish soccer fields there and has allowed for a school and a library. In addition, the council has spoken to the Minister regarding a community building in which it is prepared to invest its own funds. The provision of such facilities is the route to take.

I was struck by a comment made last Tuesday by Eoin O'Neill, a director of youth services in Waterford who drives such initiatives. He referred to much of the funding that has been distributed to different projects through the national lottery, the sporting bodies or whatever. He noted that, frequently, those who are in need of help do not have access to such facilities as the latter levy charges that are too high for them to afford. Often such clubs are obliged to charge for their facilities because they must match whatever funds are provided by the Government. His vision is that in the main, usage of such community facilities should be free or at most at a nominal cost, in order to encourage their use by those who require help and who should be diverted from other activities.

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