Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take what Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan says very seriously. I know from her constituency what a very positive impact the task forces can have in a community with rampant drug problems. I very much appreciate that point. I will indeed ask Minister of State, Catherine Byrne, to take the Deputy's comments on board as part of her review on additional funding. We all agree that this is an area for which we want to see more funding. The Deputy will agree that we must make sure to align additional funding with the priorities set out in our relatively new national drug and alcohol strategy. The funding model for the additional €1 million has three tiers. I may not get time to list all of them. The first tier will provide an agreed amount of resources on a priority basis across all task forces. The second tier will provide funding of up to €60,000 a year for 12 strategic initiatives which reflect all of the six guiding principles. The third tier will provide funding for a national awareness campaign on drug-related violence and intimidation and a reporting programme on those issues. Drug and alcohol task forces will receive additional funding this year. I accept this is an area in which we want to do more. We will ensure that the review takes Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's comments on board.

See this speech in context