632. Deputy Fergus O'Dowdasked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/16]

707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/16]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne):   I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 707 together.  The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drugs problem. The North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Strategy in the counties of Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan. The following table shows the Task Force project expenditure for this Task Force from 2012 to 2013.   

With effect from 1st January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for all projects supported by the Task Force transferred from the Department of Health to the Health Service Executive. The HSE has been requested to provide the Deputy with details of projects funded through the Task Force from 2014 to date, as well as expenditure on addiction services in the Louth East Meath constituency from 2012 onwards. Information is not directly available on expenditure under the Strategy by other departments, agencies or sectors at local level.

Question No. 633 answered with Question No. 628.