Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the working group on drugs rehabilitation; if he has had discussions with other Government Departments with regard to specific job creation measures to be introduced to encourage the return of drug users to the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25024/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the rehabilitation pillar of the national drugs strategy has had positive results since its introduction in the mid-term review in 2005; the main achievements in combating the drug problem here, which fall under the rehabilitation pillar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24900/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 45 together.

The Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, published in May 2007, made a series of recommendations for the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation pillar under the National Drugs Strategy. The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to implement these recommendations. As agreed by the Working Group, the HSE is taking the lead role on rehabilitation and I understand that the post of Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator is to be advertised by them shortly, and that it will be filled by September. In addition, I understand that the National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee — the establishment of which was recommended in the Report — will be in place by September to dove-tail with the appointment of the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, who will chair it.

A number of other rehabilitation initiatives that are also being progressed through the Drugs Strategy:

steps are being taken to increase the numbers on drug-specific Community Employment Scheme places from 1,000 to 1,300;

the Irish Prison Service is working to improve the operation of the Local Prisons Liaison Groups and to endeavour to ensure a continuum of care for problem drug users when they leave prison;

the Dept of Education & Science is developing proposals for an Education Fund for drugs rehabilitation; and

the Dept of Environment, Heritage & Local Government is establishing a Working Group to progress the recommendations in the May 2007 Report in regard to accommodation issues for recovering drug users.

In addition, my Department is providing funding of €750,000 for rehabilitation initiatives at Local and Regional Drugs Task Force level this year, as well as increased funding to the Family Support Network that will help to support the role of families in the rehabilitation process. Overall progress on the implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation will continue to be monitored through the Inter-departmental Group on Drugs which I chair. In this context, I can assure the Deputies that I will be working to ensure that progress will be made to implement the recommendations of the Working Group over the coming months.