Written answers

Thursday, 19 May 2005

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Drugs Strategy

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of groups involved in the fight against drugs to which he has offered assistance in 2005; his plans to extend the eligibility and scale of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16845/05]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for coordinating 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 peoples facilities and services fund.

In this context, it should be noted that to date approximately €95 million has been allocated or spent to implement in the region of 440 projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the LDTFs. A further €12.8 million has been allocated to over 50 projects under the premises initiative which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects and approximately €85 million has been allocated or spent under the YPFSF to support in the region of 450 facility and services, primarily in LDTF areas.

My Department has funding of €31.5 million available to it in 2005 to fund various drug programmes, which represents an increase of 18% on last year's budget. Through this funding, the ongoing work being done through the LDTFs and the YPFSF will be further developed and consolidated. In addition, a number of new initiatives are being supported. A new fund to tackle emerging needs in the LDTF areas is being put in place, a number of pilot projects to specifically tackle cocaine use are being rolled out in LDTF areas and funding to implement the action plans from the regional drugs task forces will be made available.

In addition, I will announce a third round of capital funding under the YPFSF in the coming weeks and a further round of funding through the premises initiative will be announced during the summer. The Deputy should note that additional administrative supports for the LDTFs have also been approved and will be put in place over the coming months.

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