James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Durkan, we had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the antisocial behaviour forum and we had the Housing Alliance in. Our specific focus was on the issue of antisocial housing in housing estates. The antisocial behaviour forum will set up a subgroup to look at that particular issue.

I will get Deputy Stanton a specific answer on the issue he raised. If it has not been looked at, we will certainly have a look at it.

With regard to Deputy Ó Murchú's points, I believe every one of the organisations the Deputy mentioned has received funding this year, including in the past couple of weeks.

To respond to Deputy Smith, who tabled the question, tackling these issues is not simply a matter for An Garda Síochána. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Supporting all of the organisations that help in the community to tackle the scourge of drugs is critical. In the past week, for example, two groups in Monaghan have been funded under the community safety innovation fund.

This funding was for the personal and community resilience booklet, developed by Monaghan fire and civil protection, and the advancing community safety in Monaghan project, developed by the Monaghan joint policing committee. The projects are funded from assets seized by CAB and that funding has been increased in the most recent budget. We look forward to granting further funding next year.

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