Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to extend financial support to groups, bodies or agencies involved in the fight against drugs throughout County Kildare under various schemes operated by his Department or jointly with other Departments in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41895/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to enhance financial support to groups, bodies or agencies involved in the fight against drugs in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41896/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided by him to groups, bodies or agencies involved in combating drugs in each of the past three years and to date in 2009; the extent to which such funding is expected to increase in 2010 in view of the need in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41898/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351 and 353 together.

The majority of funding provided by my Department in combating drugs is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. The amount for each of the past three years and 2009 is as follows:

I am not in a position to say at this stage what financial resources will be available for the Co Kildare region or for groups, bodies and agencies involved in the fight against drugs. The financial resources available will not be known pending the December budget. I am, of course, acutely aware of the challenges reduced budget allocations pose. I know that other Departments and Agencies are also very aware of this in the context of their engagement in the Drugs Strategy and the available funding to them for mainstreamed drugs projects and services. However, we have to take account of the current economic reality and of the pressure on the public finances. This, inevitably, means that some schemes will be affected but properly managed, this may also lead to improved efficiencies in services and foster better interagency working to the benefit of all.

The Deputy will be aware that the Drugs Strategy is based on a co-ordinated approach across many Government Departments and Agencies and my Department's allocation is part of a much bigger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2008, it was estimated that total expenditure on drugs programmes was over €275m and initial indications are that this level will be broadly maintained in 2009. *With effect from 1st January 2009 the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.