John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

The Government has been, and remains, firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in our society. This is evidenced by the fact that between 2003 and 2008, there was a doubling of funding targeted at community-based initiatives, through my Department's Vote, from €31.5 million to over €64 million.

The reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to the Department for the drugs initiatives must, therefore, be viewed in that context. In 2008, the budget for community-based initiatives in the local and regional drugs task force areas, including funding for new cocaine and rehabilitation measures introduced during the year, amounts to nearly €34.8 million. While the funding available for 2009 has not yet been finalised, I expect the comparable figure for next year to be approximately €34.4 million, a relatively small reduction.

In this context, the Deputy should note that of the foregoing, funding for projects in the drug task forces' action plans in 2009, which make up the bulk of the funding in my Department, will be maintained at 2008 levels, that is, €32 million. Once the funding for next year is finalised, it will be a matter for the drugs task forces, in conjunction with the national drugs strategy team and my Department, to identify measures to enable them to work within their allocated budgets.

The drugs strategy is based on a co-ordinated effort across many Departments and agencies and the Department's allocation is only part of a much bigger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2006, it was estimated that expenditure on drugs programmes across all the bodies was approximately €220 million. My Department is currently updating this figure for 2007. Other savings have been made in the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF, which as the Deputy may be aware is being transferred to the office of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews. I am sure my colleague, Deputy Barry Andrews, and his officials will provide every assistance to groups as they make adjustments to their operations to allow for savings next year.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The bulk of the remainder of my Department's allocation under the drugs strategy funds the work for the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NDST, the Family Support Network and Citywide, all of which will have to identify some savings in 2009. My officials are working to identify those at present.

Finally, the Deputy should note that we are making every effort to ensure the daily frontline services provided across my Department's programmes and schemes are protected as much as possible. We will continue to liaise with the task forces, other relevant agencies and the NDST over the coming months and will provide every assistance possible to ensure the continued operation of vital services in disadvantaged areas.

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