Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has made progress and the steps he has taken in relation to the recommendation contained in a report (details supplied) that a local focus for intervention should be immediately established for Limerick city due to the findings in that report that the problems of drug abuse in Limerick city are particularly acute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is aware that the drugs situation particularly misuse of heroin is worsening in Limerick city; the reason the local focus for intervention has not to date been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33218/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together.

The degree to which the misuse of drugs, including heroin, is worsening in Limerick City is difficult to gauge. I am aware that the number of new entrants seeking treatment for opiate use in the mid-western region has increased from 16 who presented in 2001 to 24 presenting in 2005. This type of secondary indicator, while obviously giving cause for concern, can, however, difficult to interpret. The Health Research Board, which is responsible for the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), has indicated that overall changes in numbers presenting for treatment can be due to a number of factors, such as an increase in the number of treatment places, an increase in reporting to the NDTRS, as well as an increase in drug use.

Our most comprehensive data on the prevalence of drug usage comes from the Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. A second Prevalence Study covering the 2006/2007 period has recently been carried out by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD). The first report on national prevalence figures and trends is expected in January next and the findings of this study will give an up-to-date picture of overall problem drug use in Ireland.

With regard to heroin, the Deputy should note that the NACD is currently undertaking a study that will give us our most up to date picture with respect to opiate use and its changing patterns of use across the country. This study will update the data from a similar piece of research carried out in 2001. The NACD expect the latest report to be completed by the middle of 2008 and I believe that it will provide useful information about the changing pattern of heroin use in Ireland.

With regard to the need for a local focus to tackle the drug problem in Limerick City, I believe that the time and complexities involved in setting up a local structure are considerable and, consequently, I would support the establishment of a sub-group of the existing Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force with a particular focus on the city. This, in my opinion, would be a more efficient — and quicker — option in terms of getting a number of drugs projects up and running in Limerick City in the short-term. My Department will be progressing this approach in the coming weeks. Finally, the Deputy should note that my Department has received additional funding of €14.3m for 2008. This represents an increase of over 28% on the 2007 allocation and will provide a major funding boost for drugs initiatives next year.