Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to fund the regional drug task force for the south east to deal with the increasing cocaine problem (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5440/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I previously announced, €5 million per annum will be made available to the regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, to assist them in implementing their plans which are currently being drawn up. With regard to the plan for the south east RDTF, I understand that it is due to be submitted to the national drugs strategy team for consideration by the end of this month.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter for each RDTF to prioritise proposals in their plans based on identified local needs. If cocaine is an emerging issue for the south east region, I would expect that proposals to address this issue will be included in their forthcoming plan.

Once the regional plans have been assessed by the team, I will be making recommendations to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion for approval so that the various programmes and initiatives can be rolled out as early as possible in 2005.