Written answers

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Drugs Strategy

10:00 pm

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in his efforts to make savings in 2009 while still delivering front line services, the local drugs task forces will continue to have a funding role in the community; if his Department would make savings if it took on this role and channelled funding directly into the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42939/08]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Drugs Task Forces. The Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) were set up to develop and implement a drugs strategy for their respective areas. As part of their brief, the Task Forces were responsible for assessing the nature and extent of the illicit drug problems in their areas of operation and for developing action plans for a co-ordinated response to those problems.

In 2009, the LDTFs will continue to oversee the on-going implementation of the initiatives and projects being developed under the action plans. In this regard, I am committed to maintaining the funding for projects in the LDTF action plans at the 2008 allocation i.e. €22m. Similarly the funding for Regional Drugs Task Force action plans will be maintained at €10m for 2009. The funding for Drugs Task Force projects is channelled through the appropriate Department or State agency, depending on the nature of the activities involved. I would not envisage, therefore, any savings accruing if my Department assumed a direct funding role.

Finally, the Deputy should note that as part of the work of the Steering Group which is developing proposals around a new National Drugs Strategy (NDS), the structures underpinning the current NDS are being examined. I expect the Steering Group to report to me early in 2009.

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