Vol. 566 No. 1
387 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount of money spent by his Department in each of the RAPID areas since the inception of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12387/03]
There is no specific funding within my Department's budget in respect of the RAPID programme. However, projects which are prioritised under RAPID and which are the subject of applications under NDP schemes administered by my Department are eligible for any funding for such schemes provided within my Department's budget.
While no RAPID projects have been funded under programmes administered by my Department or by its agencies to date, a significant amount of investment has taken place or is planned under such programmes in RAPID designated areas. For example, some €65 million will be invested over 2003 and 2004 in the construction of 19 metropolitan area broadband networks around the country. Much of this investment will take place within and around urban centres targeted by the RAPID programme.
It is not possible within the time available to provide a full breakdown of expenditure by my Department in RAPID areas since the inception of the programme. However, I will arrange for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
