Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health the date that the interim funding for the local drugs task force will be released; if he will be prepared to offer letters of comfort to the projects in order that they might be given overdrafts to ensure the continuation of the services offered and the payment of staff salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21621/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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In excess of €30m has been allocated to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces in 2011 to support community based drugs initiatives. Funding for Drugs Task Force projects is channelled through designated agencies including the HSE, FÁS, certain Local Authorities and VECs. Funding is released by the Department of Health to designated agencies in two instalments, generally in January and July. The first instalment, which amounted to some €15m, issued earlier this year. The Department is in the process of releasing the second instalment in respect of all but one of the Drugs Task Forces, and is in contact with that Task Force in relation to outstanding matters.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times, on a county basis, for speech and language therapy; his plans to ensure a better geographic spread in service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.