302. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of areas at which the dial to stop drug dealing campaign has been launched; the number of areas at which it is yet to be launched; the number of calls that have been received; the number that have been forwarded to the gardaí; the prospects for the future funding of this campaign [21296/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran):   The Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The first phase ran across five Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding provided by my Department (€100,000) and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (€50,000). The second phase ran across a further five Task Forces and the third phase, which I have launched in the last few weeks, is being run across five additional areas. Both the second and third phases received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund (€300,000).

The Deputy should note that all of the Task Forces were consulted to assess their interest in rolling out a local campaign. While several opted not to run one, I am satisfied that, with the available funding, the majority of the Task Force areas will be engaged in the process. In this context, I would like to point out that the campaign confidential number is open for all to use, regardless of the area they come from.

Overall, the campaign has proved to be very successful. There has been in excess of 2,600 calls to the phone-line that have generated over 700 information reports to the Gardaí.

In regards to future funding, it must be noted that from the outset the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was to run over a discrete period of time. This was based on the findings from the initial pilot project in Blanchardstown which found that the vast majority of calls were received early in the campaign following its launch. Last week I launched the final part of the campaign in Athlone which will cover the Midlands Regional Drugs Task Force area. The line will remain open until approximately September.

Vol. 683 No. 3
Written Answers
Tuesday, 26 May 2009