Written Answers - Departmental Programmes.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
133
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
if he will make a statement on his address to a meeting of project promoters in Fettercairn on 11 February 2003, regarding the future of the RAPID programme.
[8324/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
144
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the RAPID programme; the number of areas in respect of which plans have been submitted to his Department; the total projected budgets for these plans; when work on the implementation of the plans is likely to get under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8323/03]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:
159
Ms Lynch
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
the steps which have been taken to implement the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government that each Department will allocate specific staff whose principal duty will be to ensure that the Department is effectively engaged with the RAPID communities along the lines of the final report of the integrated services process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8318/03]
I propose to take Question Nos. 133, 144 and 159 together.
The Deputies will be aware that my Department, supported by Area Development Management Ltd., co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. It is, however, a matter for individual Departments to advance and report on progress on implementing RAPID proposals that fall within the remit of their areas. While the scale of the proposals in the RAPID plans is large, nevertheless, progress in implementing the plans has been slower than anticipated. While the Government remains fully committed to RAPID, the delivery of the programme may require adjustment. I am currently looking, at options to bring about greater progress under the programme, and I am in discussions with my Cabinet colleagues as to how best this might be achieved.
As regards my Department, proposals from the RAPID plans fall to be considered under the young people's facilities and services fund, the community development programme and funding for local drugs task forces. In the case of proposals relevant to the YPFSF, proposals submitted under the RAPID plans will be considered in the context of decisions to be made under round 2 and in light of the overall funding position for 2003. A number of proposals in RAPID plans relate to the community development programme. My Department announced allocations of funding to six new community development projects in RAPID areas yesterday. Projects in Bluebell, Dolphin House, Inchicore, Merchants Quay-Ushers Quay, Longford Town and Tipperary each received a renewable one year contract for funding of €60,000.
A number of proposals from RAPID plans are also being pursued through the local drugs task force plans. In terms of staffing issues, the Deputies will appreciate that the allocation of specific staff to deal with the RAPID programme is a matter for individual Departments. However, following a series of meetings between my Department and other Departments during 2002, I am satisfied that Departments have put in place sufficient staff resources to deal with the RAPID programme.
