Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the working group examining rehabilitation initiatives as a fifth pillar of the national drugs strategy has completed its work; if it has reported to the interdepartmental group on drugs and the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion; the recommendations arising from this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/06]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the working group to develop a policy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services under the aegis of the national drugs strategy has completed its report; the date the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4429/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 137 together.

The working group on rehabilitation was established in September 2005 and includes representatives from a range of Departments and agencies involved in delivering rehabilitation services, as well as representatives from the national drugs strategy team, NDST, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NACD, and the community and voluntary sectors. The terms of reference of the group include examining the current provision of rehabilitation services in Ireland and recommending actions to develop an integrated rehabilitation service for the future.

The working group has held a number of meetings, as well as consultations with interested parties. It is envisaged that its recommendations will be finalised by mid-year and that they will report to the interdepartmental group on drugs and to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion at that stage.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied regarding the failure of the regional drugs task forces to enact measures to date in 2006 to tackle drug abuse in their respective regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4372/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Ten regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, have been established covering all parts of the country that are not already serviced by one of the 14 local drugs task forces. The RDTFs work in a partnership manner, similar to the local drugs task forces, and are made up of nominees from State agencies working in the region, the community and voluntary sectors and elected public representatives.

Following the assessment of regional plans submitted by the RDTFs, approvals were granted in September 2005 and allocations totalling just under €5 million were made to the ten regional drugs task force areas. Work on the implementation of the projects identified in these plans then commenced and a total of €633,200 was spent in 2005. Such a level of drawdown was to be expected as the regional task forces got up and running. A similar situation pertained when the local drugs task forces were established.

I am satisfied with the rate of progress made by the RDTFs to date and it is expected that the full €5 million allocated will be expended this year.