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

Question 16: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he expects to assist by way of financial support various community based groups involved in combating drug abuse in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26629/07]

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

Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority for Government and will continue to be so. This commitment is evidenced in many ways, including through the increasing levels of funding in my Department's Vote. The allocation of €50m this year for Drugs Initiatives/Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) represents an increase of 16% on the 2006 figure and was 87% more that the corresponding figure for 2004. Overall, more than €200m was expended in 2006 by various Departments and Agencies in tackling the problem of illicit drugs.

Most of the financial support provided by my Department to community-based groups involved in combating drug abuse is provided through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces and the YPFSF.

Over 440 community-based projects, employing more than 300 people, are being supported through the Local Drugs Task Forces. Such funding will continue over the coming year. Meanwhile, current funding of nearly €8m is being provided by my Department this year for the implementation of the action plans of the 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces. This level of funding will increase in the coming years as these Task Forces move to the full implementation of their plans at a full cost of approximately €14.2m per annum. On top of this, both Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces can access capital funding under the Premises Initiative, established by my Department to address the needs of community based drugs projects.

I recently announced additional capital allocations of nearly €7m to support 42 projects under the YPFSF and this brings the overall amount allocated to date under the Fund to approx €132m. This funding is supporting in the region of 500 facility & services projects in Dublin, Bray, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the extension of the Fund to further towns, mainly in Leinster, is envisaged.

I can assure the Deputy that I am determined to ensure that adequate resources will again be provided in the coming year to maintain the progress that is being made in tackling the problem of illicit drugs in Ireland.