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represent a direct assault on community safety, with residents, families and local businesses forced to live in fear in their own neighbourhoods; — drug-related intimidation extends far beyond those involved in drug use, with parents, grandparents, siblings and innocent family members frequently threatened and targeted over alleged drug … failure to ensure that every community affected by persistent drug-related criminality has the policing, public services and community supports necessary to confront it; and calls on the Government to: — launch a major crackdown on drug gangs and intimidation, providing dedicated Garda resources to identify, investigate and prosecute

hear about these crimes and act on them. Please trust An Garda Síochána to act on these crimes. We know that drug-related intimidation extends far beyond those directly involved in drug use. I have dealt with parents, grandparents, siblings and other innocent family members who have been … recognise that drug-related intimidation presents unique challenges. It inflicts profound harm on individuals and communities. Victims often feel isolated, frightened and unaware. The Government's national drugs strategy provides a comprehensive framework for tackling the harms associated with drug use, including drug-related intimidation and violence. Other

public at large stating that we are united in terms of our ambition, commitment and dedication to ensure that we combat drug-related intimidation and violence. It is regrettably the case that drug-related intimidation and violence exist throughout our society. No particular section of society is safe … Deputy the State and An Garda Síochána are there to protect people. The only way that we can combat this scourge of drug-related intimidation is if An Garda Síochána combats it. To do that, and I know it is extremely difficult for families who are subject

Minister about the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement, DRIVE, programme, which is funded by her Department. We all recognise that drug-related intimidation is endemic the length and breadth of Ireland at the moment. We have seen the horrors of that in its full force last week

Every community deserves to feel safe, secure and protected. Alongside effective services, policing also plays a role in the fight against drug-related intimidation. While not the only part of the solution, it is a basic foundation of our communities that they be serviced by effective and visible … families all the time who are facing serious dangerous intimidation in their homes and local authorities and approved housing bodies have been dragging their feet in arranging housing transfers for these people. Tackling drugs and drug-related intimidation is not confined to one Department, one agency

this horrendous attack. Our shared anger, shock and grief must mean that we in this Dáil do something about the scourge of drug-related intimidation happening in all our communities. They say there is not a county that is not impacted by drug intimidation, but I would … runs far deeper than that. There is not a community that is not impacted by drug-related intimidation. For some, it is felt and seen by their community and neighbours but many others are suffering in silence and alone. This evening, while we discuss this motion, there

living through a third generation of trauma caused by addiction and violence. The recent allocation of an extra €65,000 for the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement programme is simply not enough. DRIVE is doing great work but communities are struggling with violence and drug-related intimidation

should feel abandoned and no parent should feel they have nowhere to turn. She said that anyone who becomes the target of drug-related intimidation should report it to An Garda Síochána. I echo the call that people should come forward to An Garda Síochána and report … crime, including, of course, drug-related intimidation. However, the problem is that families feel abandoned and that is because of fear. Even when families come forward to the Garda, that fear is heightened because they feel they may be targeted. The Minister of State said no parent should

going to the people who are hardest hit and most pressed to the bone. I represent communities that have been destroyed by drug-related intimidation. It was referenced in the High Court this week that children are being indoctrinated into crime. I thought it would have been taken … seriously. It is destroying not just a community like Dublin Central, but it is happening in rural Ireland. Last year, the drug-related intimidation programme this Government initiated received €320,000. I am sure this year's figure will be announced in the next couple of days

available for people. The DRIVE programme brings together law enforcement, health services, social services and community organisations specifically to try to address drug-related intimidation through a co-ordinated and, importantly, a victim-centred approach. These are victims we are talking about. Importantly, she also outlined that … forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs. A clear focus and priority of this work is to tackle drug-related intimidation. This is a priority for An Garda Síochána and it is really important that where people find themselves in this situation that they come

many lives have been lost or destroyed due to drug-related intimidation and it is my firmly-held belief that each and every one of those deaths should have been a watershed moment. Across counties Longford and Westmeath, I see individuals and communities being absolutely terrorised. There … Those three words are going to be repeated in every single one of our constituencies until we put a hard stop to drug-related intimidation. Nobody should be living in fear. No 70-year-old woman should stand in court and say, "I am afraid

full force of the law. The Garda must establish the facts but we know, as I am sure the Minister does, that drug-related intimidation must also be confronted head-on. Other families are looking out their front doors and wondering could their children be next. No family … managed and how families are supported? Will the Minister for justice report to this House next week on the wider response to drug-related intimidation? The response to these murders cannot be outrage today and forgotten tomorrow. The people of Waterford will not wear this and the people

turning point. As the cameras leave Waterford and the news cycle moves on, the political focus has to remain. Drug-related violence and intimidation affect families in every city, town, village and townland in the country. I personally know young men who have taken their own lives under … that devastating consequence often goes unseen and unspoken. This really must be that moment of change. The first national report on drug-related intimidation recorded 1,017 cases across every county in the State, and we know that is the tip of the iceberg. Many more go unreported

particularly important when it comes to organised crime. We know drug gangs do not respect borders. Those directing the drugs trade, orchestrating intimidation and ordering violence in communities across Ireland may be based, and oftentimes are based, in other EU member states. We need to see effective intelligence … resources that allow them to operate and ensure those responsible can be brought to justice, regardless of where they are based. Drug-related intimidation and violence are devastating families and communities across Ireland. Our response must recognise that these criminal networks operate internationally and tackling them requires cross

launch, more than 800 individuals across the 24 drug and alcohol task force areas have received training to support those impacted by drug-related intimidation. I will talk to the Minister again in terms of anything additional. I think it is the right approach. A multidisciplinary, multi-pronged

have had to face terror on their own and in silence for too long. I have spoken to the Minister directly about drug-related intimidation. I have sat with families who live in constant fear of violence. I have met and listened to communities that have been traumatised

expected to stop the growth of these gangs when gardaí are operating on a shoestring? Operation Fógra has been successful in tackling drug-related intimidation, but why is it that Dublin gets these specialised units while communities outside it are left to watch this crisis worsen and pick

learn that County Offaly has received just one additional garda from the most recent allocation. At a time when concerns about drug-related intimidation are increasing, unfortunately, that is all we are being offered. It is not right. I ask for a much bigger allocation and further engagement

alcohol task forces on the great work they do. Additional funding will expand the DRIVE project, supporting individuals and families affected by drug-related intimidation and violence. I am also providing over €1 million for initiatives to support people with a dual diagnosis and other vulnerable groups, while

parties and none in the House. This issue is widespread across the country. Every TD in the Dáil knows that drugs and drug intimidation are a scourge in every corner of the country, not just in cities and towns but in rural areas as well. I also welcome … future. I also agree with previous speakers' points about recreational drug taking. These people bear a heavy responsibility for drug-related crime and intimidation and they need to stand back and take a good look at themselves. The full prevention of drug crime intimidation and antisocial behaviour requires

Drug-related deaths and intimidation in areas like Finglas and Ballymun have been going on for years. Criminal gangs are targeting families over drug debts acquired by a member of the family or a close relative. The intimidation tactics include physical assaults, property damage and attacks

watershed moment for which we finally as a State collectively agree to get in the face of those who are perpetuating violence, intimidation and terror in communities the length and breadth of Ireland. However, I do not understand why that very moment was not last year at Christmas … that the one good adult who may exist in their life can step forward and take that. There are far more areas relating to drug-related deaths, crime and intimidation. That we do not have an Act on the Statute Book by which a person can be prosecuted

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the €300,000 referenced as being for "response to drug-related violence and intimidation" in the Budget 2027 Factsheet National Drugs Strategy and Inclusion Health will include funding for the DRIVE project. [73496/26