John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

To refer to the particular project we visited, it shows the inter-agency approach and the effectiveness of a number of agencies where 40 out of 50 people recovering from addiction and in rehabilitation are learning a skill with the real prospect of going to employment.

Deputy Byrne mentioned the cuts and I will be as direct as I can. For the five year period from 2003 to 2008, the allocation in my Department doubled. Deputy Byrne is correct that in this year's budget the subhead for the drugs strategy was cut by 5%. However, internally we added a couple of million to this. Effectively, the allocation of funding to task forces in 2009 is the same as it was in 2008. I know Deputy Byrne will make the argument that programmes were developing which needed more money. However, in real terms the allocation in 2009 is what it was in 2008.

When we discuss a drugs strategy, and Liberties Recycling was mentioned, it is not only about funding allocated through the Department, our partners such as the HSE, FÁS and the Department of Education and Science are also involved. In this regard approximately €230 million was spent in 2008 on a national strategy. Our partners in various Departments are finalising their spending for the current year in line with output. We are committed to preserving front line services. We will make cuts wherever we can elsewhere but my aim is to ensure front line services are preserved at all times.

See this speech in context