Vol. 553 No. 5
367 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on the progress of the RAPID programme to date; the total funding available; the amount of investment which will be targeted to each individual town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/02]
Strand II of the RAPID programme for provincial towns was launched on 1 February 2002. Some 20 towns have been included in the programme. The initial process involves putting staffing and support structures in place in each town and drawing up an area plan in consultation with the local community. Recruitment of local co-ordinators for each town is almost complete. Area Development Management's RAPID support team has also been strengthened and staff are now in place.
Area implementation teams representative of the relevant State agencies, including the local authorities and residents in the local community, are also in the process of being established to draw up area plans which will inform investment priorities in the RAPID towns. Two intensive briefing sessions have also taken place on the operation and implementation of the programme for key personnel from all the public and local development agencies who will be directly involved at local level. In addition, guidance on the operation of the programme, with particular reference to the establishment and support of the area implementation teams, has issued to the local authorities concerned.
