Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The drug and alcohol strategy is operating against the background of drug feuds and murders, open drug dealing in many areas, intimidation, increasing drug-related deaths, children being used as runners and increasing numbers of suicides and there is significant pressure on the health and mental health services. Drugs task forces are on the front line co-ordinating a response to this growing problem. Now, in the middle of December, there is no agreement on the budgets for these task forces. This is impacting on staff who should be put on protective notice, community projects and making it impossible to plan for next year. Does the Minister for Health have any comments or can he update us on the budgets for these task forces?

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