Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he can offer financial assistance to community groups involved in combating the drugs problem throughout the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/05]

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 2001-08. 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. Through these initiatives, a range of community and voluntary groups are funded to tackle drug misuse throughout local drugs task force areas across the Dublin area. To date, approximately €95 million has been allocated to implement in the region of 440 projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the local drugs task forces; a further €13.66 million has been allocated to projects under the premises initiative which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects; and approximately €90 million has been allocated under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund to support in the region of 450 facilities and services.

Initiatives this year include: a third round of capital funding under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, YPFSF, in LDTF areas; a further round of funding through the premises initiative for community based drugs projects in LDTF areas; a new fund to tackle emerging needs in LDTF areas; and pilot projects to specifically tackle problems of cocaine.

The Deputy might also note that, in addition to the above, over the past couple of years a significant number of projects — initially developed through the LDTFs and the YPFSF — have been mainstreamed to operate under various Departments and agencies. It is estimated that these account for further annual expenditure in the region of €20 million.