Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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522. To ask the Minister for Health if he will present a report on official visits to Tallaght Community Drug Projects by Minister of State Alex White T.D., if any positive actions are proposed in respect of issues raised with the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19793/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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523. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the implications for community drug and alcohol services in the Tallaght area following the review of the drugs task force. [19794/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.

The Deputy will be aware that I announced details of a series of measures arising from a review of Drugs Task Forces last December. The reforms, which are intended to better equip the Task Forces to respond to the current pattern of substance misuse, also provide for the extension of their remit to include alcohol addiction. Against this background, on 26 February, on receipt of an invitation from the Board of the Tallaght Local Drugs Force, I met with Members of the Board at Kiltalown House (Tallaght Rehabilitation Project), who provided a very comprehensive briefing on the day to day challenges the Board face in tackling the on-going destructive consequences of drugs in their communities. The Board expressed their support for the forthcoming proposals on Alcohol policy, and the role Local Task Forces may play in combating the excessive levels of alcohol in society. I also made a short visit to a number of local drugs related projects including JADD - Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency and St Aengus Community Action Group to see at first hand the excellent work being progressed by Local Drugs Task Force projects.

As previously outlined to the House, the review of Drugs Task Forces is ongoing. It is envisaged that the final report will take account of Government decisions in relation to addressing the alcohol issue.