At the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy on 21 September, Minister Shortall outlined her proposals for a review of Drugs Task Forces. The specific areas to be addressed are:

-Reviewing the role and composition of Drugs Task Forces and the national structures under which they operate;

-Streamlining the funding arrangements for drug projects supported by Drugs Task Forces, and where appropriate, transferring responsibility for funding to relevant statutory agencies;

-Overhauling the accountability and reporting arrangements for the drug projects which continue to be supported by Drugs Task Forces.

The Cabinet Committee noted the need for continuing interagency support and involvement in Task Forces, the positive role of local public representatives in some Task Forces; the need to involve local authorities and link into Minister Hogan’s work to align community and local government structures as well as the Child Services Committee in each county.