Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans proposed or the action that is or has taken place in relation to the misuse of illicit drugs and alcohol in the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33514/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Initiatives to tackle substance misuse in the south east are co-ordinated by the South Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force (SERDTF) which covers the counties of Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South and Waterford.

The SERDTF co-ordinates a number of activities covering the areas of treatment, rehabilitation, education, prevention and research and, to date, approximately €4m has been provided to implement the Task Force's strategic plans.

In addition the Deputy should note that:

Both Carlow Town and Waterford City have received significant funding under the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF). To date, Waterford has received almost €6m of which approx. €2.5m is for capital developments while Carlow has received approx €2.5m of which almost €1.5m represents capital funding. The Fund assists in the development of youth facilities and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop; and

I recently allocated just under €1m to three projects in the SERDTF under the Regional Youth Initiative which provided capital funding for the development of youth facilities in RDTF areas not covered by the YPFSF. Two of these projects are located in Co. Tipperary and the third based in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. I am confident that these projects will play a meaningful and ongoing role in diverting young people away from the dangers of drug use.

In this context, it should also be noted that my predecessor, Minister of State Pat Carey T.D., announced the expansion of the Fund earlier this year — in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government — and Wexford Town was selected as one of the new towns to be covered by the Fund. Consistent with the Taoiseach's announcement in May this year, my Department is currently progressing an Order to transfer the functions and duties relating to the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) to the Office of the Minister for Youth Affairs and Children.

The SERDTF has also benefited from my recent announcement regarding funding allocations under the Rehabilitation and Cocaine Initiative. Funding has been allocated to Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Treatment Centre under the Cocaine Initiative and funding was also made available for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training on a cross-Task Force basis. The Cornmarket project, through the Wexford Area Partnership, has also received funding under the Rehabilitation Initiative.

Finally, the Deputy should note that projects in the SERDTF have also benefited from funding under the Premises Initiative which provides for the accommodation needs of community drugs projects. The Cornmarket Project was awarded almost €95,000 under this Initiative and Gorey CBDI was awarded over €220,000.