256. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to designate moneys seized from drug dealers in a particular area to the provision of services for persons with drug abuse problems in that area. [3826/07]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen): In accordance with the requirements of Article 11 of the Constitution, revenues accruing to the State including those seized from drug dealers through the functions of the CAB are paid into the Central Fund, from which the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment. There are no proposals to alter these arrangements. With certain exceptions, earmarking revenues for a specific expenditure programme would, in general, constrain the government in the implementation of its overall expenditure policy. Furthermore, if certain revenues were earmarked for particular projects within the overall fight against drug abuse, any projects thus funded would be dependent on actual revenue collected from that source. Therefore, a fall in revenue generated by that source could imply a fall in expenditure on such projects. However, the Deputy should note that the Government already is allocating considerable resources to the fight against drug abuse by a range of Government Departments and State Agencies as well as the Community and Voluntary Sector. For example, in 2007 the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has been allocated €43 million for the expenditure subhead ‘Drugs Initiative/Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund’. Vol. 630 No. 5 Written Answers Tuesday, 6 February 2007