Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason, further to the recent announcement to approve almost €2 million in respect of projects to address cocaine use and support rehabilitation here, the majority of this funding is to be spent on salaries; his views on whether this is the best use of available funding; and if it will have a real effect on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33565/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy outlines, I recently announced funding of almost €2m for nearly 30 projects aimed at addressing cocaine use and supporting rehabilitation. This follows a call for proposals earlier this year to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces.

Tackling cocaine use and implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation remain priorities for Government. In this regard, funding of nearly €1.2m is being made available to:

support the development of new responses to cocaine misuse;

strengthen and develop existing cocaine-specific projects in LDTF areas; and

support other projects aimed at tackling poly-drug/cocaine use.

In relation to rehabilitation, over €0.750m is also being made available to assist recovering drug users to regain their capacity for daily life so that they can reintegrate back into their families and communities and begin to lead more meaningful lives again.

All of the projects being supported through this latest round of funding were identified by the Drugs Task Forces and were approved following a rigorous assessment process.

In the main, the funding approved will support the employment of front-line project workers, counsellors and outreach workers who will provide specialist treatment and care to those affected by cocaine use and those in recovery from addiction. Overall, I am confident that the funding approved will have a real impact on the ground and will help to improve the lives of those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports of crystal meth finds; if he will fund a report to ascertain the extent of the problem and organise an awareness campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33574/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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While I am aware of the recent seizure of crystal methamphetamine, historically in Ireland, there have been low levels of seizures in relation to that substance. Indeed, despite its popularity in some central and eastern European countries, across the EU generally, the drug has never taken off in terms of demand.

Notwithstanding this, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) -through its Early Warning and Emerging Trends Sub-Committee — continues to monitor the situation. The NACD published a summary report on a pilot Drug Trend Monitoring System in 2007 which suggested a declining popularity for amphetamines and this was borne out by the findings in the 2006/07 National Drug Prevalence Survey.

It should also be noted that in 2007, An Garda Síochána held a conference on Methamphetamine entitled "to establish a threat assessment for the increase in availability of methamphetamine within the European Union". Arising from the conference, a detailed report was circulated to Regional and Local Drugs Task Forces.

In terms of drug prevention, evidence suggests that drawing attention to a drug not commonly used can serve to incite interest and, therefore, the best approach is to work with drug task forces, state agencies and service providers to monitor the situation.

It should also be noted that the National Addiction Training Institute has a training programme underway to enhance the skills of addiction teams and community drug workers in dealing with stimulant use. This will be equally useful for those who engage with methamphetamine users.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, as recommended on page 24 of the report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation 2007, a senior rehabilitation co-ordinator, as well as a number of other rehabilitation co-ordinators and appropriate support staff have been appointed to chair the national drugs rehabilitation implementation committee and participate on the treatment-rehabilitation sub-groups of the drugs task force; the role his Department has in the appointment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33561/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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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. As agreed by the Working Group, the HSE has the lead role in this area.

With regard to the appointment of the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, I understand that following recent interviews for the post, a formal offer has been made by the HSE to the successful candidate and an appointment is expected in the near future. Officials of my Department were consulted by the HSE in relation to the recruitment process for the post.

In addition, I understand that the National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee is currently in the process of being put in place to dovetail with the appointment of the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, who will chair it. My Department will be represented on that Committee.

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 Deputy that I will be working to ensure that progress will be made to implement the remaining recommendations of the Working Group over the coming months.