Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of meetings he has had with the national sports organisations in relation to drug misuse; the results of the meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of his previous responsibilities relating to Drugs, my colleague Pat Carey T.D., Minister of State, met with representatives of Basketball Ireland in February this year in relation to the provision of Youth Development Officers. Their proposal in this regard is currently receiving consideration in this Department.

I want to acknowledge the importance of sport for young people, and in particular, its role in helping to divert them from exposure to the risks of involvement in illicit drugs. In this context, the Deputy should note that 20 Sports Development Officers are employed under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) and that a further 9 "Football in the Community" Development Officers are co-funded through the YPFSF, Dublin City Council and the FAI themselves.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds approximately 26 specific outreach posts through the Local Drugs Task Forces and 11 posts across the 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces. However, the Deputy should note that my Department also funds a number of other posts including community support workers, safety officers, education officers, prison links workers, project support workers, counsellors, prevention education workers, liaison workers, youth workers, health promotion officers, all of which operate through the Task Force structures.

Projects normally originate at community level and are submitted through the Drugs Task Forces to the National Drugs Strategy Team who make recommendations to me on funding. These projects are based on locally identified needs and priorities in the areas of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, education and research. The educational and professional criteria that workers must meet and their typical job descriptions will vary, therefore, according to the type of projects involved and target group that the individual worker will be engaging with.

In addition, the Deputy should note that under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, a number of outreach workers are funded — 6 in Dublin and 4 outside of Dublin. Under the Fund, a further 73 youth workers are employed in Dublin and 30 outside of Dublin, as well as 20 Sports Development Officers and 9 Football in the Community Officers.