Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to pilot projects for cocaine approved under the emerging needs fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28654/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Emerging Needs Fund, seven cocaine specific projects were approved for funding in 2005/06. A further nine projects aimed at poly-drug/cocaine use are also being supported under that Fund. While the projects have developed at differing rates, overall I am satisfied with the progress made. Over €1m is provided annually through the National Drugs Strategy to support these projects. The Deputy should also note that my Department has also provided funding for 4 pilot cocaine projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative for frontline personnel to deal with cocaine issues.

Earlier this year, my predecessor, Pat Carey, T.D. also announced funding of the order of €1.25m to address cocaine use in Drugs Task Force areas. Of the overall amount, €750,000 is being provided to further develop initiatives aimed at tackling cocaine use in local communities, with the remaining €500,000 is being provided for locally based cocaine awareness campaigns that will dovetail with the national HSE campaign launched in February last. The funding will be allocated to suitable projects over the coming months.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to implement the recommendations of the working group on drug rehabilitation including extra detox beds and community employment specific places in locations around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28655/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation made a series of recommendations for the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation pillar under the National Drugs Strategy.

As agreed by the Working Group, the HSE is taking the lead role on rehabilitation and I understand from them that the post of Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator is to be advertised shortly, and that they hope to have it 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 dovetail with the appointment of the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, who will chair it. The recommendation in regard to extra detox beds will be pursued through this Committee. Meanwhile, FÁS has made a commitment to increase the number of drug-specific Community Employment places from 1,000 to 1,300 and steps are being taken to arrange for this.

A number of other rehabilitation initiatives are being progressed, including the following: 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; 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 report's recommendations in regard to accommodation issues for recovering drug users.

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. I can assure the Deputy that I will be pursuing its implementation over the coming period.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to develop and strengthen the range of projects being undertaken through the local and regional drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28656/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority for the Government. This is reflected in the allocation of over €64m in my Department's Vote for drugs projects this year, which represents an increase of nearly 29% on the original funding for 2007.

This 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 monies will allow for further progress towards the full implementation of the plans of the ten Regional Drugs Task Forces. Expenditure in 2007 on the plans came to over €7m and the increased provision in 2008 will allow for the full year cost of the approx. 155 community projects, already in progress and the start of roughly another 40 projects this year.

In addition, a further €2m has been allocated in 2008 to develop and strengthen the work of the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) with over 440 LDTF projects currently receiving funding from my Department. It should also be noted that €1.5m is being earmarked for developing specific cocaine and rehabilitation focussed projects through the LDTFs this year. This funding will be allocated to suitable projects over the coming months.

Finally, under the Premises Initiative Fund, which addresses the accommodation needs of community drugs projects in Drugs Task Force areas, nearly €4m has been approved in respect of 15 capital projects in 2008.