Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 910: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will roll out the dial-to-stop drug dealing initiative in the Dublin south central area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1814/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30th September 2008. The initiative involves a number of local and regional campaigns that will be run through the mechanism of the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. The campaigns are being designed to encourage people to provide any information they may have on drug dealing — anonymously if required — through a confidential telephone line. This information will then be forwarded to An Garda Síochána for appropriate follow-up action.

Under Phase 1, five local campaigns were launched in October and November 2008:

Dublin North East LDTF

Tallaght LDTF

Blanchardstown LDTF

South West RDTF

North Inner City LDTF

Phase 2 of the campaign is scheduled to begin in early 2009 in the following areas:

Southern RDTF

Cork LDTF

South East RDTF

Mid-West RDTF

North Dublin City and County RDTF

It is hoped that the final phase will cover the East Coast and Midlands RDTFs and Bray, Dun Laoghaire and Finglas/Cabra LDTFs.

The National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST) consulted all the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces in 2007, and again in April 2008, to assess their interest in rolling out a local campaign. Neither the Canal Communities LDTF nor the Dublin 12 LDTF, which cover parts of the South Central area, opted to run a campaign. However, the confidential number used in the campaign is open for all to use regardless of the area they come from. This was highlighted during the national launch.

The contact details for the Local Drugs Task Forces concerned are as follows:

Ms. Mary Ryder, Co-ordinator, Canal Communities LDTF: 01 6204613

Mr. Cormac O'Toole, Dublin 12 LDTF: 01 6206422