Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will respond to Donegal County Council's motion of 27 September 2010 that states Donegal County Council supports the drugs crisis campaign against adjustments to drug taskforce funding and calls on the Government to allocate funds from the criminal assets bureau to regional and local drug taskforces to assist them in their provision of services in their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42608/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The proposal that money confiscated by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) be allocated to fund drugs services in Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas is an interesting idea and it has been raised on a number of occasions. However, it would be contrary to the normal Estimates process to ring-fence specific money obtained by the Exchequer and to reallocate that money for a specific purpose. The Constitution requires, and Government accounting principles provide, that public money be spent as voted or approved by Dáil Éireann, unless otherwise provided by statute.

Also, the variable nature of the value of the assets seized by the CAB in any given year could also cause problems, as funds generally need to be provided on an ongoing basis for drugs programmes and services. Difficulties might also arise if there were delays as a result of legal challenges to Court disposal orders. Such an unstable revenue source would increase the difficulties of proper planning of drug programmes by Drugs Task Forces and organisations involved in the delivery of such services.

More generally, there is a critical need to ensure that resources are directed in a targeted and effective manner and that the maximum benefit is achieved. As part of its role, each Drugs Task Force should constantly monitor and review projects and should ensure best use of allocated funds.

I am confident that the work being done to tackle problem drug use this year will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the problem. I will make every effort to protect funding in this important area but, as the Deputy is aware, I cannot give an undertaking in this regard in advance of the completion of the estimates process and the Budget.