Local drugs task forces funding [12590/15]

202. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health   the amount of State funding allocated to the national drugs strategy since 1997; more precisely, the local drug task force structures in County Dublin, and surrounding counties, with a breakdown by area task force and associated funding per year. [12590/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): Responsibility for leading and co-ordinating national policy on drug and substance misuse has been reassigned between Government Departments on a number of occasions since 1997. Responsibility for this very important policy area was assumed by my Department on 1 May 2011.   The table below sets out funding allocated for community based drugs projects from the Drugs Initiative to Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces since 2010. Comparable information for the period prior to 2010 is not immediately available. I will arrange for this information to be collated by my Department and to furnish this to the Deputy as soon as possible.

 The figures for 2014 and 2015 respectively reflect the fact that €13.82m in funding relating to Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force projects transferred from my Department to the HSE on 1 January 2014, with a further €692,000 transferring on 1 January 2015.

Local drugs task forces funding [12591/15]

203. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of positions of employment currently funded across all local and regional drug task forces.  [12591/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to staff employed to support the day-to-day operation of Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces.   Drug and Alcohol Task Force co-ordinators are, in the main, employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). However, the HSE also allocates funding to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for other support workers, including the posts of development worker and administrator.    In the circumstances, I have asked the HSE to collate the information requested and to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.