224. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of promoting the crimestoppers phone line after the abolition of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/12]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): At the outset, I would like to advise the Deputy that the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Campaign has not been abolished. Rather, from 2012 onwards, the campaign will be promoted in partnership with CRIMESTOPPERS which will facilitate a more cost efficient approach.

Up to the end of 2011, there were a number of phone lines available to report drug dealing activity, including the dedicated Dial to Stop Drug Dealing phone line which carried with it significant promotional costs. The funding previously available for the operation of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing phoneline will be used to raise awareness of the CRIMESTOPPERS line as a counter drug initiative, in order to increase calls to the line concerning drug dealing and drug related crime.

In 2012, funding in the amount of €25,000 will be used to promote the CRIMESTOPPERS phone line in Drugs Task Force areas and other areas where there is a high concentration of drug activity. This is the same level of funding provided for the initiative in 2011.

 

Written Answers - Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 755 No. 1

Thursday, 9 February 2012