603. Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason no additional resources have been allocated for the development of drug treatment services in communities here in 2007 [43915/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. I have already announced an increase of €6 million as part of Budget 2007 to address the health related aspects of the National Drugs Strategy. This increase of funding is aimed at the continued implementation of the report on treatment services for under 18 year olds presenting with serious drug problems; the expansion of harm reduction services; polydrug services to meet the needs caused by changing patterns of drug use and initiatives for homeless persons.