John Gormley
Question:133 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if Ringsend, Dublin 4, is to be included in the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8436/01]
Written Answers. - RAPID Programme.
Under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the Government is committed to targeting investment under the national development plan on a priority basis to the 25 most disadvantaged areas in the State. In order to ensure a fair and transparent process, the selection of these 25 areas was made on strictly objective criteria using factors such as unemployment, income levels, family and social structure, educational disadvantage and high levels of rented local authority housing.
The 25 areas selected represent the most deprived 5% district electoral divisions – DEDs – in the country, whereas Ringsend would be amongst the most deprived 10% or just outside the acute most deprived 5% category. Extending the remit of the scheme to encompass all areas in the 10% most deprived category would not only go against the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, but would also risk diluting the impact and objectives of the scheme because of the number of areas which would then be involved.
However, the fact that Ringsend is not designated amongst the most deprived 5% does not preclude it from benefiting from social inclusion funds of £15 billion available under the national development plan. As a local representative I will be ensuring that the newly established Dublin City Development Board will avail fully of the various support funds available to address any problems in the Ringsend area.