Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 February 2003

National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements.

 

I am pleased the Minister of State is going to extend the new task forces to the regions. The task forces in Dublin and Cork have been a great success because of the multi-agency response and the involvement of politicians. As I understand it, the departmental subhead for 2003 for a drugs initiative amounts to €16.3 million and the commitment to advance regional task forces will need another €7 million. That is a total of approximately €22 million which will be required this year if the Minister of State is serious about extending the drugs task forces to all regions of the country. Will the Minister of State ensure that the additional €7 million will be obtained so that the regional task forces, which are a vital part of the next step of the strategy, are put in place? I ask him to inform the House how he intends to obtain this funding. It will not be acceptable for areas with existing task forces to juggle funds in order to meet a new need in the regions.

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