Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be made available to the national voluntary drugs and alcohol service providers in order to support them in carrying out their duties under the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21003/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The former Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs entered into a contract to fund the National Voluntary Drug Sector for three years from 2008-2010 under the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. The contract was extended until the end of June 2011. Organisations participating in the scheme were aware that funding beyond the contractually agreed timeframe could not be guaranteed and that the scheme was subject to review.

A comprehensive review of the scheme was carried out in 2010 and a new scheme, with amended criteria, was advertised in December 2010. 149 applications were received and 63 organisations were approved for funding under the scheme. The Community function transferred to my Department on 1 May 2011.

Funding under the new 2011-2013 scheme has been allocated following an objective and merit-based competitive process. The application from the National Voluntary Drugs and Alcohol Service Providers did not meet the qualifying mark for funding on this occasion. NVDASP has appealed the funding decision, and the appeal is currently being dealt with by my Department.