Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the degree to which he proposes to improve the funding available to community groups involved in combating drugs throughout the greater Dublin area with particular reference to the need to provide immediate access to drug treatment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31426/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 151: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of the funding he has provided or expects to provide to community groups involved in combating drugs throughout the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31427/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 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 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 overseeing the implementation of a range of projects at an annual cost in excess of €16m. Twelve of the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces are located in Dublin, with the others in Bray and Cork. Since 1997, nearly €125m has been allocated to support 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. Additionally, under the Emerging Needs Fund, which was established in 2005, I have allocated almost €4m to 67 projects in various LDTF areas. This Fund was devised to provide a flexible and timely response to evolving needs in regard to drug misuse.

Ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) have been set up more recently 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. An allocation of €5m has been made available for the RDTFs this year and this will increase in the coming years as they become more established and achieve increased progress on their action plans.

Under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund I recently announced allocations of €1.66m for 9 projects in Dún Laoghaire, Waterford and Cork, bringing the total commitment from the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund to €106m since its establishment.

Overall, I am satisfied that the funding now available facilitates the provision of a comprehensive range of drug treatment interventions including those organised at community group level.