John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 30 together.

I am satisfied that the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 will be achieved despite the cuts in funding for 2010. When the strategy was launched in September last, it was clear that its implementation would have to be achieved in the context of more limited funding in the short to medium term. At that time I identified the optimum use of the available resources as being essential, with a strong focus on the further development of interagency work. This approach will facilitate the delivery of more efficient and effective services, leading to improved outcomes for people who are affected by the drugs problem.

As part of the implementation process, I met all drugs task forces over the past few months and the expected position in regard to funding for 2010 was among the issues discussed in all cases. I emphasised the need to prioritise projects with a view to ensuring the most effective use of resources and the most beneficial outcomes for service users. Needs and priorities change over time and, consequently, drugs task forces and service providers must ensure that funding is realigned to match changing circumstances. The task forces are fully engaged in this process and I have given them the scope to redirect funding within their allocations to best address the realigned priorities they identified for their areas of operation. I am satisfied this approach will minimise the impact from the reduction in funding in 2010.

As part of the strategy, I intend twice a year to meet a number of Ministers and various senior officials who are tasked with implementing various actions in the strategy. I have completed the first round of such meetings and have stressed the need for Departments and agencies to ensure that high priority is given to achieving the objectives of the strategy. These meetings facilitated a good exchange of views and focused on the importance of the continued effective implementation of other programmes that affect the broader issues underpinning problem drug use.

Members should also note that a drugs advisory group has been set up under the new strategy, with membership from across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. This group meets regularly, advises me on operational and policy matters relating to the national drugs strategy and oversees and supports the work of the drugs task forces. An oversight forum on drugs, OFD, which I chair, has been also established and the first meeting was held in October. The primary role of the oversight forum is the ongoing high level examination of progress across the strategy and addressing of any operational difficulties and blockages that may arise. Against this background, I have asked for progress reports by later this month from all Department and agencies that have lead responsibility for actions of the strategy. The reports will cover the status of progress on the actions and the plans and time scale for full implementation. The outcome of this process will feed into the next meeting of the forum in January and robust performance management will continue throughout the implementation period of the strategy.

While there will be some reduction in the resources available in 2010, the overall amount of money available to tackle the drugs problem will still be considerable. I remind Deputies that more than €275 million was made available to tackle the drugs problem across Departments and agencies in 2009 and considerable progress is being made. At the same time, the difficulties facing our society as a consequence of problem drug use are significant, and addressing all the factors involved will not be easy. However, I am determined that real progress will continue to be made across the period of the strategy, with all sectors working in a co-ordinated and targeted way to achieve implementation of the agreed actions.

See this speech in context