187. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the Tallaght community following a headline in the local newspaper (details supplied) that Tallaght drugs task force is under threat due to cuts in funding; if he appreciates the need to give support and assurances in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  [17112/14]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White): Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force receives annual funding from the Drugs Initiative of my Department to allocate to community based drugs initiatives. The Task Force, like other bodies that receive public funding, has seen a reduction in the funding available to allocate in recent years. In determining allocations, Drugs Task Forces are expected to take account of the financial sustainability of individual projects and the need to protect front line services.

Every effort has been made to keep funding reductions of Drugs Task Force projects to a minimum in recent years. In 2014, a total of €1,234,952 was allocated to Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force. This represents a reduction of 3% on the 2013 allocation.