Written Answers - National Drugs Strategy.Thursday, 27 September 2007 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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30.
Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the need to offer added support to community based groups [879]involved in combating drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21141/07]
Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey):
Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority for Government and will continue to be so. This commitment is evidenced by the increasing levels of funding in my Department’s Vote. The allocation of €50m this year represented an increase of 16% on the 2006 figure and was an increase of 87% over the corresponding figure for 2004.
In all, over 440 community-based projects are being supported through the Local Drugs Task Forces, employing more than 300 people. An amount of €8m is being provided by my Department for the implementation of Regional Drugs Task Force plans in 2007 and the full implementation of their plans will be rolled out over the coming years at a full cost of €14.2m p.a. On top of this, all of the Task Forces can access capital funding under the Premises Initiative, established by my Department to address the needs of community based drugs projects.
Earlier this week, I was delighted to announce additional capital allocations of nearly €7m to support 42 projects under the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund. To date, allocations of just over €125m have been made to almost 500 facility & services projects in LDTF areas and in Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow.
I can assure the Deputy that I am determined to ensure that adequate resources will again be provided in the coming years so as to maintain the progress that is being made in tackling the drug problem in Ireland.
| Last Updated: 03/11/2010 18:23:28 |
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