Fund to boost local community safety

A TOTAL of

?¬100,000 from the Drugs Initiative Fund is to be earmarked for community safety fora in Tallaght and Clondalkin next year.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Alex White TD, approved the allocation of

?¬50,000 in current funding that will be made available to both the Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force and Clondalkin Local Drugs Task Force in 2013.

This funding will help to secure the long term sustainability of community safety initiatives developed by estate management groups in Killinarden and Fettercairn in Tallaght, and by community safety fora in North Clondalkin and South West Clondalkin.

Deputy White said:

“If we are to be successful in tackling the overall fight against drugs, we must do all we can to foster cooperation between local communities, authorities and the gardaí.

“This funding will ensure that communities in Tallaght and Clondalkin can continue their efforts to improve their neighbourhoods and keep their streets free of drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour.

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South Dublin County Council, which has a long association with these initiatives, will be responsible for disbursing the funds at local level.

Drugs Task Forces were set up to assess the extent and nature of the drug problem in local areas.

They coordinate action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in communities.

The National Drugs Strategy indicates that initiatives that foster cooperation between local communities and the gardai, as well as the councils create conditions of trust in which the drugs problems can be addressed in a proactive and concerted way.