Green Party Senator and European candidate for Dublin, Deirdre De Burca, welcomed €219,500 funding to tackle drug abuse and homelessness in North Dublin.

Senator De Burca said that the funding, announced as part of a €3 million dormant account funding package, would help local groups to tackle drug abuse and homelessness in the community. The funding specifically targets people affected by economic and social disadvantage, educational disadvantage and people with a disability.

Local groups to benefit from the funding include the North Dublin City & County Regional Drug Task Force and Local Drug Task Forces in Ballymun, Dublin North East, Finglas and Cabra. Other projects receiving support include the Ballymun Star Programme, Ballymun Youth Action Project, Dublin North East childcare bureau and family support network, Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme, Millennium Carving and the Finglas Addiction Support Team.

“In the current economic downturn there is a danger that the benefits of local care and rehab groups will be forgotten. We cannot underestimate how important local groups are in terms of fighting addiction in the community.

“Such community help groups are well-placed to understand the specific difficulties faced by local families and to implement an effective care regime for local residents. Having such local support means that people suffering from addiction can be treated in their natural environment rather than being removed to a hospital or rehabilitation centre.

“This wave of funding must underpin a greater strategy to encourage rehabilitation in the community. In particular I hope this funding will support families affected by drug abuse who can in return support and re-engage with their loved ones who are addicted to drugs. By tackling addiction we can build a safe and inclusive community,” added Senator De Burca.

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Dublin by Deirdre