Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Education and Science or teachers organisations regarding the distribution of a book to five to 12 year olds which gives detailed information on heroin, cocaine and ecstasy; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that have been raised by teachers and parents regarding the distribution of this book; if his Department distributes such information to primary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18118/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department was not consulted or involved in any way in relation to the booklet to which the Deputy refers. Furthermore, no funding was allocated by my Department for its production or distribution.

I understand that the booklet in question was produced on a private basis, with local businesses being invited to sponsor its distribution in local schools in return for an acknowledgement in the publication.

Under the Substance Misuse Prevention Programme, the Department of Education and Science administers the 'Walk Tall' programme of substance abuse awareness classes tailored for primary school children as part of the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum.