Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the criteria used by his Department and the north-east regional drugs taskforce when allocating funding to drug addiction counselling service providers; if the service providers are required to prove that all counsellors are professionally qualified and members of relevant accredited bodies; if service providers are required to provide job descriptions, advertise vacancies and offer contracts to staff members; if service providers staff are subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks for Garda clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38335/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the 14 Local and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces is to assess the nature and extent of the illicit drug problems in their areas of operation, to make proposals to deal with these problems, to facilitate greater local/regional focus on drugs issues and a more co-ordinated response to them and to oversee and monitor drug-related projects approved on foot of their action plans and proposals.

In 2010 the Drugs Task Forces were asked to assess all projects currently being funded to ensure that they: · are drugs targeted and evidence based; · can show tangible outputs and outcomes; · address current gaps and local needs in their areas; and

· demonstrate clear links with the priorities as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.

I understand that, when allocating funding to addiction service providers, the North Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force ascertains if the project aims are in line with national strategic objectives and if it reflects the agreed regional priorities. The Task Force also considers it prudent to ensure that the project promoter has a proven track record in delivering similar services and that it has the capacity to carry out the aims of the project.

In relation to projects with an addiction counselling element, service providers are required to provide evidence that all counsellors are professionally qualified and that they are members of relevant accredited bodies.

The North Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force works with all service providers to ensure that they have in place policies and procedures, including those relating to recruitment, that are open and transparent. With regard to the employment of sessional workers on a contract for services basis, provision is made to procure these from a pool of suitably qualified applicants.

Furthermore, I would like to assure the Deputy that all those working with vulnerable adults on a one-to-one basis are required to be Garda vetted. The contract for services for sessional workers also includes provision for this.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if a meeting took place between a representative from his office and an official from the north-east regional drugs taskforce in regard to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in County Louth regarding counselling services in Dundalk; if he will provide a report from that meeting to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38336/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The primary function of the Drugs Advisory Group is to advise the Minister on operational and policy matters relating to the National Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016. The Group also, inter alia, oversees and supports the work of the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces, ensures that policy is informed by their work and provides a liaison, reporting and representational role between the Task Forces and the Office of the Minister for Drugs.

The Departmental Liaison person to the North East Region from my Department's Drugs Advisory Group was contacted in May of this year following receipt by me of a letter from the person concerned. The Liaison person met with the Coordinator for the North East Regional Drugs Task Force and with two members of the service in question and the Treasurer of the Board of Management of the service on 3 June 2010. They discussed each of the concerns raised about the services. A report was received by my office, dated 4 June, and provided details in relation to · the recruitment process, · the clinical services, · the leadership and management of the service and · the employee services.

The Departmental Liaison person confirmed that they had no concerns in relation to any of the areas listed and that it was evident that quality services are provided to the target group and that it is managed competently and professionally.