Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has assessed the implications of his decision to withdraw funding from 38 community drug projects including a project (details supplied) on clients and their families. [6086/10]

Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 698: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposed reductions to projects run through local drugs task forces in Dublin in 2010, with a cessation of this funding in 2011; if there has been any review of these proposals; and or if there are any plans to review these proposals. [6633/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 698 together.

My Department provides funding for thirty eight projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project specifically referred to by Deputy Bruton. These projects, through a variety of programmes and activities, seek, in the main, to encourage young people not to engage in drug-taking. My Department originally took on responsibility for funding these projects through a mainstreaming process, whereby projects on interim funding were assigned to a number of departments and State agencies. Thirty five of the projects are administered by the three VECs in Dublin City, Dublin County and in Dún Laoghaire, while the remaining three projects are funded directly by my Department.

Arising from Budget 2010, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced from €3,643,000 in 2009 to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011. I acknowledge the difficulties arising for projects and my Department is currently reviewing the implications of this decision for the individual projects concerned. The review, which involves a detailed examination of all 38 projects, is not as yet completed.