Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 214: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department's appraisal of drug abuse in areas (details supplied) in County Kildare; his proposals to deal with the problems; the funding already made available in dealing with the problem; the success of such initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12439/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, the areas in question form part of the south western regional drugs task force. I am pleased to be able to say that progress has been made by all ten regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, which were established in 2003, in the development of their action plans. An initial sum of €5 million per annum has been allocated by me to progress implementation of those plans for 2006 and I envisage that funding will be increased on an incremental basis over the coming years to achieve the full roll out of these action plans, which are estimated to have a full cost in the region of €12.2 million per annum.

An initial sum of €735,000 has been allocated to the south western regional drugs task force, SWRDTF, to allow it to progress the implementation of the actions identified in its action plan. This includes the establishment of a community drug team for County Kildare and west Wicklow as well as research into appropriate models of service delivery and a partnership with other agencies in establishing a profile of drug use in the task force's area of operations.

In addition, a research proposal into harm reduction measures and improved treatment has been drawn up and is the focus of discussion with other agencies. A regional drug education co-ordinator is due to be appointed in the coming weeks and significant advances have been made by the task force under the community and JLO counselling pools scheme.

I am satisfied that the range of activities and initiatives identified in the SWRDTF action plan represents a comprehensive approach to tackling the problems of drug misuse not only in the areas identified by the Deputy but in the south western area as a whole.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 215: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, further to Question No. 61 of 21 March 2006, if it is the case that the project concerned requested funding not for additional staff but to replace part-time FÁS staff with full-time staff for the purpose of rehabilitation of drug-users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12450/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An application on behalf of the project has been made under the emerging needs fund. The application seeks to replace the current funding arrangement for these posts, which is through the special CE scheme, with funding from the emerging needs fund as well as additional programme costs and staff and management training costs.

As I stated in my reply to Question No. 61 of 21 March, I am still not fully satisfied with the proposal and have many questions for which I require answers from the project promoters. I hope to visit the project in the near future to get a fuller picture of the proposal and to speak to those involved in the project.