Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 42: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made with regard to the commitment contained in the programme for Government to develop and strengthen the range of projects being undertaken through the local and regional drug task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12486/08]

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

Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority for the Government and will continue to be so. This commitment is evidenced by the allocation of over €64m in my Department's Vote for Drugs Initiatives and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund in 2008. This, the Deputy should note, represents an increase of nearly 29% on the original 2007 allocation.

The funding will facilitate the progress towards the fulfilment of commitments in the Programme for Government, including developing and strengthening the range of projects being undertaken through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces.

The additional funding will allow for further progress towards the full implementation of the agreed work programmes of the Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs). Expenditure in 2007 on the ten RDTF plans came to over €7m and the increased provision in 2008 will allow for the full year cost of the approx. 150 community projects already in progress and the start of roughly another 40 projects in 2008.

In addition, a further €2m has been allocated in 2008 to develop and strengthen the work of the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) and to facilitate the implementation of projects under the Emerging Needs Fund. Over 440 LDTF projects, including those under the Emerging Needs Fund, are receiving funding from my Department. The 2008 allocation of €22m for such projects shows an increase of 9.5% over the amount spent in 2007.

Finally, with regard to capital funding, Drugs Task Forces can continue to apply for capital funding under the Premises Initiative Fund which addresses the accommodation needs of community based projects in their areas.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the public consultation process on the national drugs strategy 2009 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12488/08]

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

The Steering Group for the new National Drugs Strategy, which is being chaired by my Department, is currently finalising details of a comprehensive public consultation process, which will be undertaken over the coming months. Consultants — to assist the Group in its ongoing work — are also expected to be on board by next week.

A broad consultation process is envisaged that will include the following elements:

Written submissions to be submitted by 4 April 2008;

A series of 15 public consultation meetings around the country to be undertaken in late April to early June;

Meetings with the relevant Government Department and Agencies – to be completed by early June;

Meetings with key sectoral representatives and organisations, including the community & voluntary sectors; and community groups.

A series of meetings with appropriate focus groups, including for example, problem drug users, young people at risk, and new community groups.

The times and locations of the public consultation meetings will be advertised the national and local press in the coming weeks when the details have been finalised.

In all, I expect the consultation process to be completed by the end of June/early July.