Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding which is available to persons who do not qualify for the day to day running and development of their projects in view of the fact that emerging needs funding is only available for certain projects. [36833/05]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in view of the fact that the last plans drawn up by the local drugs task forces were in 2002, when they will be mandated to draw up a new updated plan; and if this is not a more efficient way of dealing with changed conditions rather than by the provision of a centralised emerging needs fund which will provide about €1 million for the 14 task force areas as opposed to the €1 million each task force area got for its 2002 plan. [36830/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 61 together.

The Government has allocated in excess of €95 million to support more than 450 projects contained in the plans of the task forces since 1997. In addition to the moneys available under the action plans in this way, the premises initiative is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects, the majority of which are in local drugs task force, LDTF, areas. To date, more than €12.8 million has been allocated to projects under this initiative.

Each of the local drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug misuse in their area, based on their own identified priorities. These action plans include a range of measures covering local supply, education and prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The task forces continue to have regular contact with the local communities in which they are based.

Two rounds of plans have been approved for funding to date and these plans are at various stages of implementation in the local drugs task force areas. Furthermore, round II projects which are up and running have to be evaluated with a view to deciding whether there is a case for mainstreaming. At this stage in the process it would not be prudent to make decisions on further rounds of funding for LDTFs.

However, it was brought to my attention last year that demands for services in a number of LDTF areas were arising in the context of changing trends in drug misuse. In view of this I announced an emerging needs fund earlier this year specifically to address pressing needs to deal with gaps in service provision that were not being adequately addressed through existing LDTF measures. To date, I have allocated approximately €181,000 under this fund and other applications are under assessment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister said he will adhere to the €1 million figure for emerging needs. This is not anywhere near the figure that is required by the 57 proposals so far, only five of which have been dealt with, for emerging needs. That reflects the crisis there is with drugs. It also does not take into account the proposals for emerging needs which were encouraged by the Department. Those proposals will arrive in the Minister's office tomorrow, given that the deadline is November.

Is the Minister of State aware that the figure announced by his colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, a fortnight ago in the Estimates is not sufficient to deal with the demands of the local or regional drugs task forces? In fact, it is at least €8 million short of current demands. When account is taken of the €5 million required for emerging needs projects or the full operation of the regional drugs task force as promised or the eight projects under the young people's funds or the budget required for the national advisory committee on drugs, the money for anti-drugs and drugs rehabilitation and awareness programmes will be €15 million short. Does the Minister believe such a shortfall is contrary to his brother, the Taoiseach's, commitment to the local drugs task forces in October when he spoke to them at the Vital Connections Conference at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham? The Taoiseach said: "...all of us have to be prepared to continue to commit time, energy and resources to the problem going forward". He concluded by saying: "Tackling the drug problem is, and will continue to be, a key priority for Government". Does the Minister of State agree that the paltry sum being suggested is not tackling this matter as a key priority for the Government?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have often repeated that the Government's priority is to tackle the drugs problem and support local drugs task forces but people seem to want me to repeat it hour after hour. The Government commitment is there——

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not there with regard to money.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Maybe the Deputy adds noughts on to every figure he considers.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not me. This is coming from the local drugs task forces.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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This year, although inflation is under 3%, there was an 18% increase in funding. I doubt any other budget heading got such an increase. The Estimates two weeks ago contained an 8% increase. That does not include the forthcoming budget and the Revised Estimates in January.

It was brought to my attention last year that, as the drugs situation evolves, additional funding would be needed to deal with some key emerging needs. We agreed to examine proposals for dealing with key, emerging issues and we ring-fenced approximately €1 million for that. Proposals are coming into the Department——

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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They were submitted in March and July but they have not been assessed.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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We are discussing key emerging needs.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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There are 57 projects.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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That is additional to what is there at present. The proposals are being examined. I have only received some of them so far and many more are due to arrive. They will be examined and assessed in conjunction with the funds and the other demands on the budget available.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Is it not the problem that the Minister is ignoring the scale of the drugs problem? The Minister is making €1 million available in the emerging needs fund. Is it not the case that projects identified and approved under the criteria agreed with the Department require €4 million to be implemented? The Minister is only making €1 million available at a time when we are told there are huge budgetary surpluses available to the Government. I hope the Minister will answer my specific questions.

Projects have been approved by the national drugs strategy team for which approximately €12 million is required but the Minister of State is only prepared to commit approximately €5 million. As a result of both of these failures to respond to the scale of the problem, the planned strategic response to the drug problem by the regional drugs task forces will soon be in a shambles. This is due to cuts and a refusal to recognise the needs that exist. Is it not the case that as a result of what I have outlined and continued attempts to get the Minister and the Department in touch with reality, a long serving and committed member of the national drugs strategy team has submitted his resignation to the Minister?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Nobody is ignoring the scale of the problem.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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It will not be solved with €1 million.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The funding that comes through the local drugs task force and the Department is to deal with gaps in existing services. Services are provided across a range of Departments. A sum of approximately €50 million is spent on projects that started at local drugs task force level. In fact, the scale of Government investment is such that I do not believe people who are actively involved ever dreamt there would be such a level of investment and manpower provided. Almost 600 people are now working on drugs task force projects and young people's fund projects. Eight or nine years ago people did not ever imagine that such a level of resources would be provided.

Despite that, they sought additional funding this year because of the emerging needs and changing situation. I acknowledge that the situation is changing all the time. As a result, we agreed to provide funding despite all the other demands and the 18% increase provided this year. The figures of €5 million and €12 million quoted by the Deputy refer to the regional drugs task forces. There was another round of the young people's fund and another round of the premises fund. There were also the cocaine initiatives. There are many projects. If I allocate €5 million to a group or team to come up with plans, I mean €5 million. Some people think that when one says €5 million they can look for €25 million. If somebody comes up with a proposal costing €6 million, one might try to push the line a little but people must——

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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These are projects agreed by the Minister's strategy team.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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People must realise that if I say €5 million or €10 million, I mean €5 million or €10 million. Certainly, in the next year if there are good proposals, we will try to fund more. We are carrying out significant work, with almost €50 million of projects initiated at local drugs task force level, taking in almost 600 people. However, all that can be thought about is bringing in even more. We are examining the opportunities as they arise, but everybody involved must be realistic and have sense. Good plans will be looked at and assessed, and some, depending on other demands, will be fulfilled also.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Taking into account the Minister of State's reply to Deputy Gregory's question, what steps will be taken to get a Revised Estimate that will take into account the emerging needs and moneys required to ensure that the regional drugs task force, which is long promised, can be fully operational next year? The amount would be similar to that given to the horse and greyhound fund, for example, or other pet Government projects. If there is a crisis it must be dealt with properly, and €1 million does not address the evident crisis.

What steps will the Minister of State take to ensure a Revised Estimate by next week's budget from the Minister for Finance that will increase funding to take account of requests that the Minister of State has agreed are there? If this Revised Estimate is not delivered, will the Minister of State resign as having failed in his job, as many people within the local drugs task forces are calling for because of the emerging debacle over funding for this year and next?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The funding approved for this year, 2005, was an 18% increase, which was enormous. The amount contained in the Estimates was an 8% increase, and we must wait for the Revised Estimates in January. The regional drugs task forces are up and running, and their funding has been approved, some before the summer and some in September. They have drawn down only a small portion allocated to them for this year so it will be there next year also. If this money is spent and there are additional ideas, they will be looked at.

On the emerging needs——

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not just emerging needs, I stated that if the Revised Estimate is not introduced, the Minister of State should consider resigning as having failed. He has failed totally on the drugs issue.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not consider myself as having failed. We have provided enormous resources and there is much good work happening on the ground. We have not yet solved the problem, but we are providing many services under a range of headings. Good plans that come in will be considered, and some will get through.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Maybe in five years' time when the drugs problem is worse.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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We are ahead now.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The fund is not there to deal with the Government's whole social inclusion programme. Some people in drugs task forces believe that every plan and measure should be brought forward. While I state that we spend approximately €50 million on projects that begin on local drugs task force level, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE spend more than that every year on treatment. There is massive Government funding across a range of headings.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State is clearly not listening to his strategy team.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a problem, with cocaine being an example. This is coming in from South America, mainly from Colombia, and I know the Deputy has some contacts there. We are trying to deal with that problem.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State has stated that there is a problem.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I accept this situation is changing, evolving and moving all the time and we are dealing with it.