Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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219. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to continue the pilot funding, under the dormant accounts programme, measure 4, in 2017, to assist the Tallaght drugs and alcohol task force and other task forces to develop an alcohol strategy and the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35634/16]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.

Following a review of Task Forces completed in 2012, increased responsibilities were given to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to address the alcohol problem. In light of their expanded role, a substance misuse measure was included in the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2014 and the Task Forces were identified as the key structures through which the measure would be implemented. In excess of €930,000 in additional funding was recommended for disbursement to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces from the Dormant Accounts Fund for substance misuse initiatives, including over €35,800 for the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force. The grants to Task Forces were provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund on a once-off basis to undertake a range of coordinated activities aimed at raising awareness of drug and alcohol-related harm in local communities in line with the National Drugs Strategy. There are no further grants available for this purpose under this round of funding.

In addition, a number of Task Forces, including Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force, have benefitted from training provided by the Alcohol Forum for the development of local alcohol action plans.

The Department of Health will shortly be inviting Task Forces to submit recommendations for the funding of projects from the Drugs Initiative budget in 2017. It is a matter for Task Forces to ensure that their budget is effectively deployed to address current priorities and locally identified needs.