Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of new drug treatment programmes he intends to assist in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23119/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to offer grant assistance to various community based groups in the greater Dublin area providing or wishing to provide assistance towards drug treatment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23120/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he will offer grant assistance to groups involved in combating the drugs problem including the setting up of treatment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23121/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together.

My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The setting up of treatment programmes is a matter for the Health Services Executive and the Tánaiste Mary Harney, T.D, Minister for Health and Children. The current year's allocation to my Department for expenditure on Drugs Initiatives and the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund is €43m which represents a substantial 37% increase on the 2005 initial allocation and an increase of 61% on the 2004 figure. These figures emphasise that tackling the drug problem is a key Government priority and that it will remain so.

Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) are well established and are now implementing the second round of Action Plans at an annual cost in excess of €16m. Since 1997, nearly €125m has been allocated to support this work across the 14 LDTF areas. Over 400 community-based projects have been established, employing more than 300 staff. These projects deliver services such as community drug treatment programmes as well as advice and support for drug misusers and their families, outreach and crisis intervention services and drug training programmes for community groups.

Twelve of the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces are located in Dublin, with the others in Bray and Cork. Ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) have been established in the areas not covered by Local Drugs Task Forces. Thus a Drugs Task Force now services all parts of the country with consequential support for community based groups.

Additionally, under the Emerging Needs Fund, which was devised to provide a flexible and timely response to evolving needs in regard to drug misuse in Local Drugs Task Force areas, I recently announced the approval of €2.27m for 39 projects, including a number of initiatives to support treatment/rehabilitation programmes in Local Drugs Task Force communities. I also was pleased to announce further allocations of €1.5m for eight projects this week under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund. This announcement of projects in Waterford, Dún Laoghaire area, Blanchardstown and Tallaght brings the total commitment from the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund to over €103m since its establishment.

Overall I am satisfied that the funding now available facilitates the provision of a comprehensive range of drug treatment interventions including supports for such work by community based groups.