Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the budget for drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects in each year for the past five years; the projected budget for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32558/14]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): Details of the budget allocations from the Drugs Initiative to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces to support community based drugs projects in each of the past five years, and for 2014, are provided in the table below.   In relation to 2014, approximately 65% of the budget allocation refers to prevention, education and drug awareness projects, with 28% relating to treatment and rehabilitation projects while the remainder is primarily targeted at supply reduction measures. It should be noted that €21.57m in funding relating to community based drug projects, previously channelled through the HSE, was transferred from the vote of my Department to the HSE vote on 1st January 2014. This accounts for the reduction in the budget for drugs projects in my Department in the current year.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects which it funds.