Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I welcome the detailed reply given by the Minister of State. With regard to the projects he mentioned, the one thing we must do is consider the alternatives we can provide for young people who are attracted to drugs. What linkage has the Minister of State created through national sport and recreation organisations to develop alternatives? In many cases, we see associations going into large estates, cherry-picking the best young players and leaving many children behind. They are bored and have nothing to do and this is where drug barons can establish themselves. They can get youngsters with no recreation or sporting facilities available to them and who do not have an inclination to get involved in such activities. How many meetings has the Minister of State had with various associations on this matter? I realise the good work done by the task forces. However, we need to link this with initiatives taken by national sporting organisations. The two together can make a difference in providing an alternative to the problems which communities throughout the country encounter at present.

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