Dáil debates

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Priority Questions

Drugs Task Forces.

1:00 pm

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for the recent cuts to funding for a large number of services in drugs task force areas, which are struggling to deal with the drug problem in communities; his views on the real threat to the viability of services on the ground if their annual funding is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8858/09]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in society. This is evidenced by the fact that the funding targeted at community-based initiatives funded through my Department's Vote doubled from 2003 to 2008, increasing from €31.5 million to more than €64 million. The relative reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to my Department for the drugs initiatives must, therefore, be viewed in this context.

In 2008, the budget for community-based initiatives in the local and regional drugs task force areas was nearly €34.8 million. Funding for 2009 will be approximately €34.6 million, of which more than €23 million is being allocated to the local drugs task forces while more than €11 million is being earmarked for the regional groups.

Unfortunately, no area is impervious to cost cutting measures in the current economic environment. It is in this context that all drugs task forces were asked to identify savings across their areas of responsibility. While I appreciate that this will involve some difficult choices being made, it was a matter for the drugs task forces to identify measures to enable them to work within their allocated budgets.

Across Government, we are taking a number of difficult decisions, but our approach is to do it in as balanced a way as possible. There is a critical need to ensure that resources are directed in a targeted and effective manner and that the maximum benefit is achieved. I would like to assure the Deputy that my primary concern has been and continues to be the protection of front line services delivering vital programmes and initiatives in areas worst affected by problem drug use.

Projects have been approved funding for the first six months of 2009 and this expenditure will be reviewed before allocating the remaining six months' funding. We will continue to work with the task forces to ensure that this funding is targeted in the most appropriate manner. I am confident that the funding in 2009 will continue to facilitate the delivery of meaningful and viable community-based initiatives to address problem drug use.

As the Deputy is aware, the drugs strategy is based on a co-ordinated approach across many Departments and agencies. My Department's allocation is part of a much larger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2007, it was estimated that total expenditure on drugs programmes was over €230 million. The figures for 2008 are currently being compiled.

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will not criticise the Minister of State, whose heart is in the right place. Asking any group to choose which service to remove is difficult, but last night's television coverage of another shooting proved that crime, much of it relating to drugs, is alive and well on the streets of Dublin. The Government must do everything possible and take the drugs issue seriously if we are to get anything done. We cannot continue to pass the buck. Irrespective of whether the money comes from the Department directly, the HSE or elsewhere, this matter falls under the drugs umbrella and must be faced. The buck stops with the Minister of State.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Aiséirí services in County Tipperary. Using 28-day periods and the 12 steps, that unit deals with people who are drugs and alcohol addicted. It provides an excellent service that gives people hope and continues to treat them afterwards.

In my area, the local Inchicore drugs team has been asked to reduce its budget by €30,000. While I know that the Minister of State did not ask it personally, it must make cutbacks. Finding areas in which to make those cutbacks is difficult. Reductions are occurring everywhere.

Aiséirí and another service in County Wexford are being asked to reduce their budgets by 14%, a considerable amount of money for groups trying to treat vulnerable people. In the next year, those projects will lose out on €67,000. This is endemic of society. If we are asking drugs task forces to remove services, we must be prepared to shore them up in other ways.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with many of the Deputy's comments. However, it is important to clarify. In 2008, the funding available to the task forces was €34.776 million. This year, the figure is €34.6 million, a slight reduction. Task forces must make choices between projects, but it is also worth noting that the total spend including statutory agencies has increased significantly over the years.

It is appropriate that we constantly evaluate and monitor what we are supporting to ensure that we provide maximum benefits. In some cases, programmes are being run where statutory agencies have neglected to or have not provided services. We must be able to change for when statutory agencies start dealing with the issue.

The Deputy mentioned Aiséirí in the voluntary sector. She is correct in that, around the country, many drugs and alcohol rehabilitation services are run by the voluntary sector. We have appointed a national rehabilitation co-ordinator in the time since I have assumed my position. This is important because the provision of rehabilitation services by statutory agencies and voluntary and community bodies had been fragmented. We need to bring them together in a co-ordinated way, which is what we are doing now.