Dáil debates

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Other Questions

National Drugs Strategy.

4:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way the 5% cut in funding to the drugs initiatives and young people's services fund will impact on the delivery of the national drugs strategy. [40998/08]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As I outlined earlier today, the Government is firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in our society. The doubling of funding targeted at community-based initiatives funded through my Department's Vote, from €31.5 million in 2003 to more than €64 million in 2008, is, I believe, clear evidence of that commitment.

The reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to my Department for the drugs initiatives must, therefore, be viewed in that context. This year, the budget for community-based initiatives in the local and regional drugs task force areas, including funding for new cocaine and rehabilitation measures introduced during the year, will come to nearly €34.8 million. While the funding available for 2009 has not yet been finalised, I expect the comparable figure to be approximately €34.4 million, a relatively small reduction. It is important to note that funding for projects in drug task forces' action plans in 2009, which comprise the bulk of the funding in my Department, will be maintained at 2008 levels, that is, €32 million.

The drugs strategy is based on a co-ordinated effort across many Departments and Government agencies and the Department's allocation is only part of a much larger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2006, it was estimated that expenditure on drugs programmes across all the bodies was approximately €220 million. This figure is being updated by my Department for 2007.

As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the management and operation of the young people's facilities and services fund is in the process of being transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, OMYCA. In this context, more than €20 million in capital and current funding is transferring from my Department's Vote to the OMCYA. I am confident that the OMYCA will assist groups in every way it can as they make adjustments to their operations to allow for savings next year.

The bulk of the remainder of my Department's allocation under the drugs strategy funds the work of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, the national drugs strategy team, the Family Support Network and CityWide, all of which must identify some savings in 2009. My officials are working to identify those at present.

I assure the Deputy that my Department is making every effort to ensure that the daily front line services provided across all of the programmes and schemes it operates are protected as much as possible. On the drugs side, we will continue to liaise with the task forces, other relevant agencies and the national drugs strategy team over the coming months to ensure the continued operation of vital services in disadvantaged areas most affected by drug misuse.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Minister of State aware of the drugs task forces' anger over the cut in funding and the head-in-the-sand attitude of viewing funding in the context of 2003? Since then, there has been an explosion in the availability of illegal drugs, some of which have been mentioned and others that are emerging, such as crack cocaine — its usage has increased by 500% in Crumlin — crystal meth and cocaine.

Is the Minister of State aware that the increase in the prevalence and use of illegal drugs during the lifetime of the national drugs strategy is evidence that it was under-funded and that the recent reduction will ensure that the next strategy will be even more under-funded?

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I disagree that we referred to 2003 except to show the increase over a five year period. I will be specific because the Deputy mentioned drugs task forces and funding cuts. As the Deputy is well aware, there is a recession in this country, Britain, the eurozone, the US and Japan. Consequently, the funding available to my Department is less this year than it was last year. Bearing this in mind, I stand over my commitment, although many do not wish to recognise it. I committed to maintain and protect front line services. While there is a reduction of 5% in the subhead in my Vote, the drugs task forces will receive the same level of funding in 2009 as they did in 2008. At a time when most Departments and bodies are facing cuts, this is a significant aim.

The drugs task forces must work together, examine new methods, achieve greater efficiencies and consider sharing services, be they outreach workers or project counsellors, to ensure that their programmes maximise outcomes for the communities we serve. However, it is not true to say that task forces will get less money next year than they got this year. They will get precisely the same funding in 2009 as they got in 2008 and they have been so informed.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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They will get less.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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No. The Deputy is not reading the correct information. While the Deputy may choose not to listen, drugs task forces will receive €32 million next year, which is what they received in 2008. The Deputy can jump up and down as often as he likes, but they——

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I have not yet, but I will if the Minister of State wants me to.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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——will get the same in 2009.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I do not know from where the Minister of State gets his figures, but he has not read them. The Dublin 12 task forces will experience a reduction. Perhaps the overall figure will remain the same, but cutting their funding is ridiculous, given from where they come. Those communities were disadvantaged for years and did not benefit from the Celtic tiger.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, the funding for task forces was €32 million. Despite my Department and this subhead experiencing a 5% cut, front line services provided by the task forces will receive €32 million in 2009. The appeal is to consider new ways in which to do business. Instead of asking for more money to deliver the same services, the commercial principles that apply in the private sector should be used to determine how to do business and achieve better outcomes for the same money. This is a challenge, but stating that there will be cuts is factually incorrect.