Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 85 - Drug task forces [18919/10].

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 85 - Drug task forces [18919/10]. (11 May 2010)

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85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to offer support to communities involved in combating drugs; the extent to which the programme was successful in 2009; the degree to which expenditure is likely to be specifically or particular targeted in 2010; the degree to which he has on hand requests for funding in respect of such purposes; his further plans to respond positively to such requests in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey):  As has been previously outlined to the Deputy, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. Under this process, applications for funding are made directly to the Task Forces.
 
In 2010, in excess of €31m in current funding is being made available to fund the activities of the Task Forces, of which €21.045m is being allocated to the Local Drugs Task Forces and €10m to the Regional Drugs Task Forces. This funding will support some 500 initiatives that the Task Forces have prioritised for investment in their respective areas. In addition, I recently announced that funding of €600,000 is being made available for small-scale capital projects in the Task Force areas, building on the success of a similar initiative in 2009.
 
In 2009, 340 projects under the Local Drugs Task Forces were supported to the value of nearly €22m. Almost €10m was expended to support 146 projects in Regional Drugs Task Force areas. Further funding in 2009 also supported the following:
• 14 cocaine-specific projects (approx. €0.555m);
• 10 rehabilitation-specific projects (approx. €0.350m); and
• 3 drug-related projects dealing with homeless people (€0.460m).
 
In addition, capital expenditure of nearly €2.12m in 2009 supported 6 large scale projects, predominantly in the Regional Drugs Task Force areas, including targeted funding for Limerick City. Nearly 100 small-scale projects in 23 Task Force areas were supported with a total allocation of €552,000 to cover the costs of refurbishments, renovations and the purchase of equipment. Furthermore, under the once-off Regional Youth Initiative, 6 projects were funded in 2009 to the value of €0.471m.
 
The Deputy should also note that Dormant Accounts funding of €1.56m was approved in 2009 for 80 substance misuse projects with a family support focus in the Task Force areas.
 
While the overall funding for the Task Forces this year is less than it was in 2009, I am satisfied that this investment will continue to address problem drug use in a meaningful and real way and protect front-line services to the greatest extent possible.
 
Vol. 708 No. 3  
Written Answers – Drug Task Forces
Tuesday, 11 May 2010

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