Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 878: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made regarding 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. [47857/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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This Department's recent progress report in relation to the Programme for Government can be accessed on the Department of the Taoiseach's website at:

http://193.178.1.117/attached

The up-dated position in relation to the commitments referred to by the Deputy in his question is as follows:

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 have appointed a Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator and the National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee, chaired by the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, has been established. The first meeting of this Committee was held towards the end of 2008 and the second meeting is being held this week. The recommendation in regard to extra detox beds and drug-specific community employment places will be pursued through the Committee.

Overall progress in implementing 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 as set out in the Programme for Government.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 879: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made on 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. [47858/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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This Department's recent progress report in relation to the Programme for Government can be accessed on the Department of the Taoiseach's website at:

http://193.178.1.117/attached

In relation to the commitments referred to by the Deputy, the following is the position:

Funding in 2008 has enabled further progress towards the full implementation of the plans of the ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs), allowed for the full year cost of projects already in progress and the start of new community projects. Further funding was allocated in 2008 to develop and strengthen the work of the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs), with over 440 LDTF projects currently receiving funding.

Funding continued in 2008 under the Premises Initiative Fund, which addresses the accommodation needs of community drugs projects in Drugs Task Force areas. In addition under the new Regional Youth Initiative, capital funding has been provided for the development of 16 dedicated youth facilities in RDTF areas not covered under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund.

As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the YPFSF has transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs since 1st January 2009.