Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister of State is very aware of the work of local drugs task forces. On 2 October the co-ordinator of the Cork local drugs task force wrote to all the elected representatives in the Cork area, in particular the members of Cork City Council, some of whom are members of that task force. To co-ordinator outlined some of the cuts they have had to endure since 2008 and the impact they are having on the delivery of services in this area. It has become all the more critical because at a recent joint policing committee meeting, the chief superintendent indicated to those present that Garda detection of drug possessions has increased. Cork city has a growing problem with heroin, and the agencies are doing considerable work to try to stem that and keep it under control. There have been a number of deaths as a result of heroin use in Cork city.

The task force was established in 1997 to try to address some of the growing alcohol and drug issues local communities were facing. Since 2008 it has had a 23% decrease in its budget, almost €500,000. At present it has approximately 21 local projects and since 2008 it has ceased funding about eight of those projects because the money taken from its budget has meant that cuts have had to be made. There has been a reduction in opening hours and even staff losses in some projects. I am sure the Minister of State is familiar with the work these task forces do in the Dublin region. They fund local community and voluntary groups and statutory agencies, and they play a pivotal role in combating not only the rise of drug use but also alcohol abuse. They also play a pivotal role in educating schoolchildren of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. The funding cuts to the local drugs task forces are having a real impact. Without a change in policy and unless some of the cuts are reversed, we will condemn more young people to a life of drug or alcohol abuse, which will end up costing the State in the longer run.

On behalf of the communities I and other Deputies represent, I ask that the funding to local drugs task forces not be cut. At the moment, the Cork local drugs task force does not even know what its budget for next year will be. Therefore it has been unable to plan any of the initiatives or programmes it wants to implement. It does not even know how much funding will be taken out. In turn, the local projects have been unable to agree implementation plans. I ask that this be conveyed to the co-ordinator of the local task force as soon as possible.

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