Drug abuse hostels get €1.5m boost
More than €1.5m is being ploughed into centres housing young people with drug addictions, it emerged today.
Accommodation in 11 community-based projects targeting drug misuse in Cork, Dublin, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Wexford, will benefit from the funds.
More than €570,000 was granted for vital upgrading and refurbishment of the Whitworth Road project in Drumcondra, a residential transitional service for young homeless people with drug issues.
In Cork, Arbour House on Douglas Road, was awarded €500,000 towards the cost of the rebuilding of the premises.
Pat Carey, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, said the grants will make a difference to the clients of these services and to their families.
“The Government views community-based projects as central to tackling drugs misuse and to the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy,” he said.
“We are keen that such projects have appropriate facilities in which to provide their essential services.
“Today’s announcement is evidence of our commitment to ensuring the provision of quality facilities for those projects as they deliver their front-line services.”
Granted under the Premises Initiative Fund, the money will be administered through the local and regional Drugs Task Forces. It brings the total allocation under the fund to date to over €19m.
