Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I am surprised by the Minister's response. Is he denying that cuts are being imposed which are affecting people in the communities worst affected by the drugs scourge? Is he denying the death rate? As I said, that figure is most likely an underestimation. For instance, it tends only to include those who die of overdoses, while excluding deaths arising more indirectly from drug misuse, such as in road accidents. Is the Minister claiming that the level of drug abuse is not as bad as indicated in this report? The reality is that in many communities - not only in Dublin but throughout the State, in Portlaoise, Cork, Waterford and elsewhere - the drugs problem is getting much worse. Consequently, there is a need for greater resources, not fewer.

It is not too late to address the problem. Will the Minister offer a renewed commitment to the national drugs strategy? Will he undertake to reverse cuts that have been made and to protect the sector from further cuts in budget 2012? In particular, will he renew the commitment to drugs taskforces - the infrastructure upon which the drugs strategy is based - throughout the country? Some Government Deputies have been less than supportive of their local taskforces, which serves to undermine the network of support they offer. The Department of Education and Skills has abandoned the taskforces in many areas. If that is allowed to happen, what is to stop other statutory agencies withdrawing from the taskforces?

The drugs strategy mechanisms which bring together the relevant stakeholders and actors, including the community, service providers and State bodies, are regarded as an example of best practice in this area. Will the Minister reaffirm the Government's commitment to this multifaceted system? Will he take concrete steps to guarantee funding for schemes such as the Rialto early morning methadone clinic and the Inchicore needle exchange which have been closed as a consequence of HSE cutbacks?

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