Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if interface is taking place between the local drugs task forces and the regional drugs task forces and third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The main contact between Local Drugs Task Forces, and projects developed under their aegis, with third level institutions is through engagement by projects with those institutions to facilitate the development of an appropriate range of education and training courses. Among these are addiction studies courses that are accredited by the National University of Ireland. Many Task Forces also provide education bursaries, either directly or through their projects, for individuals to access training and further education. Local Drugs Task Forces, again through projects, have also facilitated the commissioning of research that has been undertaken in conjunction with third level institutions.

The Regional Drugs Task Forces undertook a broad open consultation process when developing their strategies. Furthermore, the Western Regional Drugs Task Force has outlined a pilot project to provide partial funding for counselling supports in regional third level institutions as part of their Action Plan.

The actions outlined in the National Drugs Strategy pertaining to the education system generally have been progressed with the significant input of the Department of Education and Science. Officials of the Minister for Education and Science participate on the Regional and Local Drug Task Forces, the National Drugs Strategy Team and the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs, illustrating the degree of co-operation and co-ordination between our Departments under the National Drugs Strategy.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding the recently published Drugs and Crime in Ireland Report; his views on its findings that most drug users do not commit crimes other than those of possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22744/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have not had discussions with the Michael McDowell, T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform specifically on the "Drugs and Crime in Ireland" report published in late May by the Health Research Board. However, it should be noted that this report was discussed at some length at the meetings of the Consequences Sub-committee of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, on which officials of our respective Departments sit. Moreover, I am confident that any issues arising from the report will be tackled with the on-going co-operation of both our Departments through the structures of the National Drugs Strategy.

The report states that it cannot be said conclusively through the data currently available whether most drug users do not commit crimes other than those of possession. After considering the matter at some length, the report concludes that the link between drugs and crime is an issue that needs further examination.

The report highlights that, while drug possession offences account for most drug offences recorded, the exact link between drug misuse and crime figures as a whole is not readily identifiable. While An Garda Síochána compile statistics for drug offences such as possession or intention to supply, they are not in a position to register crimes committed by offenders while on drugs, or for the purpose of facilitating the purchase of drugs.

Irish research was considered in the report through the application of four principal explanatory models — the psycho-pharmacological, the economic-compulsive, the systemic and the common-cause models. The first three models make a direct link between drug use and offending behaviour, while the fourth suggests that the relationship between drugs and crime is less clear. These models throw up contradictory results meaning that careful consideration is needed before making a definitive affirmation on the subject.

Taking all this into account, I do not think that we are in a position yet to conclusively measure the role drugs play in the overall crime figures. As indicated in the report, further research on the matter would be required before we can make such conclusions.