Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent by the Government and by his Department in 2007 on the drug problem here; the amount assigned to date for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21559/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent under the National Drugs Strategy from 2001 to date in 2008; the breakdown of moneys spent on the drug problem since the strategy was initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

The following table sets out the amounts estimated to have been spent on the National Drugs Strategy in the period since 2001. In this context, it should be noted that expenditure under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) was managed by the Department of Education and Science up to 2002. Responsibility for this funding transferred to my Department from 2003, which significantly increased the overall departmental spend on the drugs area in that year.

The drop in expenditure by my Department in 2004 arose from the mainstreaming of a number of community based drugs projects to other Departments and agencies that year. The relevant funding to support the ongoing activities of the projects transferred to the other Departments and agencies in this context.

Expenditure by other Departments on the drugs area has been compiled since 2005. The figures for 2005 and 2006 should be interpreted as indicative, however, as they relate only to services that are considered to be directly attributable to dealing with problem drug use. They do not take account of mainstream services that are available generally to the public, but which problem drug users can also avail of.

Finally, the Deputy should note that the allocation under the Drugs Initiative/Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund in my Department's Vote for this year is €64.332m, an increase of 25% on the outturn for last year.

Expenditure to date this year is approximately €26m.