Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will reply to a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22959/10]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 502: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22961/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.

The review of mainstreamed projects in local drugs task force areas funded by my Department is not as yet finalised. A key aspect of the review is to determine whether my Department is the appropriate location for these projects or whether funding should more appropriately be channelled through another Department or agency.

In this regard, officials of the Department have held discussions with officials in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to determine whether projects which involve a significant element of youth work might be more appropriate to that office.

A number of the projects are being considered within the Department in the context of their work being similar to that of other departmental initiatives aimed at preventing early school leaving. There are also some projects which concentrate on treatment or rehabilitation work. They are in receipt of significant funding from a number of State bodies, in addition to the funding received from my Department.

My Department will shortly submit for my consideration the outcome of the project reviews.

My Department has now issued the second half of funding for 2010 in respect of the projects, including the two projects referred to by the Deputy.