Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I welcome the dormant account funding for this initiative. The families of drug addicts are often forgotten and there are insufficient supports for them. The reality is that the families are often left homeless because of drug addiction. I am pleased the Minister is already supporting various groups, but I hope he will extend that support. This is no longer merely an urban problem but is also an issue in rural areas. In other words, it is a nationwide problem. I hope the Minister will examine whether the next round of dormant account funding can be used for projects outside urban areas.

Will the Minister consult with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with a view to making a certain number of community employment places available for recovering drug addicts? Such persons need as much support as possible after treatment in order to re-enter employment and society in general. A certain quota of community employment places should be set aside for them. Places should be also set aside for them on the rural social scheme.

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