Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding being provided for drugs task forces in 2005. [11998/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. It also has responsibility for the work of the local and regional drugs task forces as well as the young people's facilities and services fund.

In overall terms, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has funding of €31.5 million available to it in 2005 to fund various drugs programmes, which represents an 18% increase on last year's budget. Through that funding, the ongoing work being done through the LDTFs and the YPFSF will be further developed and consolidated. In addition, funding will be allocated to the regional drugs task forces to support the implementation of the various projects set out in their regional plans.