Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will immediately grant young peoples facilities and services fund status to Clonmel, as requested by the RAPID organisation, where a significant drug problem has developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I advised the Deputy in answer to Question 111 recently, the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem existed or had the potential to develop.

To date, the focus of the Fund has been in the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas (12 in Dublin and the others in Bray and Cork City) which were established in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse, particularly misuse of heroin, as well as on four other urban centres, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Carlow. In the intervening years approximately €103 million has been allocated to support over 450 facility and services projects in these locations.

The possibility of expanding the number of urban areas that are eligible for funding from Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund may fall to be considered in the coming period. Any decision in that regard would be based on evidence of a significant existing drug problem in a particular centre, or the potential for a drug problem to develop there. I cannot say at this point whether Clonmel would qualify for inclusion under the Young Peoples Facilities & Services in such circumstances.