349. Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects to publish the National Substance Misuse Strategy;  [25039/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran):  The Government approved the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 on Tuesday 16th June 2009. Arrangements are now being made for publication and I expect to launch it in July.

Arising from the earlier Government decision of 31 March 2009 to include alcohol and drugs in a combined National Substance Misuse Policy, the new National Drugs Strategy will be an “interim” policy pending the development of the broader Strategy which is expected by the end of 2010.

350. Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the National Substance Misuse Strategy will require agencies who receive funding to draw up service plans which include progress for service users; if targets will be set for progress for service users; if these progress reports and targets will influence access to funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran): The new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which was approved by Government last week, includes a commitment to develop an overall performance management framework to assess and monitor progress. In this context, and with the imminent establishment of the Office of the Minister for Drugs, it is intended that there will be a greater focus on the effectiveness of projects being funded under the Strategy, and on the outcomes and value for money being achieved. Previous performance will be a factor in subsequent decisions on funding.

I might clarify that, arising from a Government decision of 31 March last to include alcohol and drugs in a combined National Substance Misuse Policy, the new National Drugs Strategy will be an “interim” policy pending the development of the broader Strategy which is expected by the end of 2010.

Vol. 685 No. 3
Written Answers
Tuesday, 23 June 200