Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to offer assistance towards the drugs task force programme in 2010; the way this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14455/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for interaction with local community based groups involved in the fight against drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 130 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the majority of expenditure incurred through my Department's Vote for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. In this regard, in excess of €31 million will be made available this year to the Task Forces for the ongoing implementation of their strategic plans. Overall, this represents a reduction of 11% in the funding provided in 2009. The reduction in 2009 over 2008 was of the order of 8% but, in that regard, it should be noted that responsibility and funding for the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with effect from 1 January 2009.

My Department will continue to support and engage with local and community-based groups involved in tackling drug misuse through the Task Force network and in line with the structures outlined in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.