Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his Department's annual spend on tackling problematic alcohol and illegal drug use respectively for each of the past three years. [20952/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding for 38 projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas. The projects are located in very disadvantaged areas and, through a variety of programmes and activities, seek to encourage susceptible young people not to engage in drug-taking. Expenditure on these projects for the past three years is as follows: 2006 - €3,316,743 2007 - €3,621,000 2008 - €3,651,262

Prior to 2009, my Department also had responsibility for administering over 100 projects under the Young Persons Facilities and Services Fund, which aims through the provision of services and facilities funded by the programme to divert "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas from the dangers of substance misuse. With effect from 1 January 2009, responsibility for the administration of these projects transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Expenditure on these projects for the past three years is as follows: 2006 - €8,176,210 2007 - €8,512,000 2008 - €8,735,000 Apart from funding these projects, my Department, through substance misuse prevention education, contributes to the overall aim of Government policy in relation to drugs, which is to provide an effective, integrated response to the problems posed by drug misuse. Social Personal Health and Education (SPHE) is the foundation for developing awareness of drugs and alcohol issues in schools. Substance misuse prevention education is implemented as part of SPHE in all primary and post-primary school and is a mandatory part of the curriculum at primary and junior cycle in second level. The implementation of these programmes in schools is supported by full-time support services at primary and second level, which provide professional development for teachers and advice and support to schools.

SPHE has matching funding from the Health Service Executive/Department of Health and Children. The following funding details relate to the overall cost of the programme and are not specific to substance misuse. Costs in relation to the substance misuse module of SPHE are not available as modules are not taught in isolation, but in the overall context of SPHE.

While education has a role to play in addressing the problem of drug and alcohol misuse, behavioural change will not happen without the support and co-operation of parents, the drinks industry and society as a whole. Parents have a responsibility to help children and young people to adopt sensible and responsible attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol.