Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The steering group for the new national drugs strategy, chaired by my Department, is currently finalising details of a comprehensive public consultation process, which will be undertaken over the coming months. Consultants, to assist the group in its ongoing work, are also in the process of being recruited and it is expected that they will be on board from next week.

The steering group has held two meetings to date. At its second meeting, a broad outline of the consultation process was agreed and it is envisaged that it will comprise the following: a series of 15 public consultation meetings around the country to be undertaken in late April to early June; meetings with the relevant Departments and Government agencies — it is expected that these meetings will be completed by early June; meetings with key sectoral representatives and organisations, including the community and voluntary sectors; and a series of meetings with appropriate focus groups including, for example, problem drug users, young people at risk and new community groups.

The steering group is meeting again next Monday when it is expected to sign off on the timetable for the public meetings, which it is envisaged will be held on various dates between 22 April and 3 June. The times and locations of these meetings will be advertised in the national and local press in the coming weeks once the details have been finalised. The Deputy should note that I hope to attend as many of the public consultation meetings as possible. It is envisaged the steering group will meet with the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to hear its views on the new strategy.

In response to the call for public submissions on the new strategy which was advertised on 26 February, 11 written submissions have been received to date. However, I expect that number to significantly increase over the coming weeks as I am aware that many organisations are consulting widely with their constituent elements to facilitate comprehensive submissions.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that the consultation process being proposed for the new drugs strategy will be very broad and comprehensive. In all, I expect the process to be completed no later than the end of June or early July.

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