Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the implications of budget 2009 on the national drugs strategy; the locations at which the 5% cuts in current spending on drugs initiatives which were highlighted in the budget will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40979/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has been, and remains, firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in our society. This is evidenced by the fact that between 2003 and 2008, there was a doubling of funding targeted at community-based initiatives, through my Department's Vote, from €31.5 million to over €64 million.

The reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to the Department for the drugs initiatives must, therefore, be viewed in that context. In 2008, 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, amounts to nearly €34.8 million. While the funding available for 2009 has not yet been finalised, I expect the comparable figure for next year to be approximately €34.4 million, a relatively small reduction.

In this context, the Deputy should note that of the foregoing, funding for projects in the drug task forces' action plans in 2009, which make up the bulk of the funding in my Department, will be maintained at 2008 levels, that is, €32 million. Once the funding for next year is finalised, it will be a matter for the drugs task forces, in conjunction with the national drugs strategy team and my Department, to identify measures to enable them to work within their allocated budgets.

The drugs strategy is based on a co-ordinated effort across many Departments and agencies and the Department's allocation is only part of a much bigger 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. My Department is currently updating this figure for 2007. Other savings have been made in the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF, which as the Deputy may be aware is being transferred to the office of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews. I am sure my colleague, Deputy Barry Andrews, and his officials will provide every assistance to groups as they make adjustments to their operations to allow for savings next year.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

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

Finally, the Deputy should note that we are making every effort to ensure the daily frontline services provided across my Department's programmes and schemes are protected as much as possible. We will continue to liaise with the task forces, other relevant agencies and the NDST over the coming months and will provide every assistance possible to ensure the continued operation of vital services in disadvantaged areas.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his answer. However I am still not clear on the details; neither, it appears, is the Minister. I tabled this question because a large number of groups contact me on a daily basis and want to find out what the budget will be, what services will remain and what services will be going. The Minister of State made a statement on the day of the budget in his address on frontline services and said, "It is my objective to ensure funding goes directly to frontline services" and then went on to say his Department will not support new contracts to provide support services and community development projects.

I met a group of community outreach workers recently who were convincing in telling me their projects will have reduced numbers of outreach workers. They have been told they must cut back on their budgets and use their budget accordingly, and I can understand that as there are problems with money. This is a service that is very important for young people and communities. The Minister of State spoke previously on RAPID areas and there is a huge problem with services being cut.

Last Thursday I spoke to a project worker in my area who told me they sought another outreach worker and were told there was no chance in the world they would get one, either this year, next year or the year after. That is a failure of the Government to provide services that should be on the ground, particularly in communities that need them. It is fine for the Minister of State to stand up and say there is a 5% cut in current spending. I realise there have to be cuts across the board, but this is vital area in any community. Drugs are one of the most lethal weapons in today's society for young people, and in every parish, community and home the issue is spoken about on a daily basis. One only has to pick up a newspaper to see the coverage.

If there is to be a 5% cut it should be channelled in a certain area, and perhaps should be considered in the Minister of State's Department and not in the community where it would make a huge difference to many people.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the opportunity to clarify the answer. Deputy Byrne quoted from budget day when I said, "my emphasis is to maintain frontline services". It is true that funding for the drugs subhead in the Department has been cut by 5%, but the drugs taskforces, which deliver the community-based projects the Deputy mentioned, will receive precisely the same amount of money in 2009 as they did in 2008 despite the 5% cut.

Deputy Byrne may argue this does not allow for the expansion of services, and I will concede that, but my hope is that those running the drugs taskforces and engaging with them will be able to deliver the same outcomes next year as they did this year for the same amount of money. I do not believe it should be impossible for any organisation to find internal savings; it is no different from my own Department. The reality is that the internal savings they are asked to make is based on receiving the same allocation in 2009 as in 2008. The challenge for local or regional taskforces is to ensure they can deliver the same level of service.

They are not facing a 5% cut. The budget for the drugs issue is cut by 5%, but the taskforces which fund community-based projects Deputy Byrne mentioned will have no cut next year. They are receiving precisely the same figure as 2008. It does not allow for expansion but it focuses our efforts on delivering what the Deputy has asked for, which is frontline services. There is no cut there and that needs to be re-emphasised.