Dan Boyle
Question:88 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the precise current status of the revitalising areas through planning, investment and development programme. [14422/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Programmes.
Kathleen Lynch
Question:91 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific steps his Department intends to take to ensure that actions targeted at disadvantaged areas, such as the RAPID and CLÁR programmes, operate effectively in regard to the commitment given in Sustaining Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14377/03]
Michael Noonan
Question:119 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department, which has overall responsibility for the RAPID programme, can now confirm that each Government Department has allocated specific staff whose principal duty is to engage with RAPID communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14499/03]
Paul Kehoe
Question:124 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date in the RAPID programme; the funds sought and allocated; the additional areas he intends to include in the RAPID programme, as promised in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14481/03]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:129 Mr. Rabbitte 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 relevant Government 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. [14387/03]
Mary Upton
Question:140 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in 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. [14392/03]
Liz McManus
Question:144 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific steps his Department intends to take to ensure that actions targeted at disadvantaged areas, such as the RAPID and CLÁR programmes, operate effectively in regard to the commitment given in Sustaining Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14379/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 91, 119, 124, 129, 140 and 144 together.
The Deputies will be aware that my Department, supported by ADM Limited co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. It is, however, a matter for individual Departments to advance and report on progress in relation to implementing RAPID proposals that fall within the remit of their areas.
I am on record as saying, however, that there are certain elements in relation to the RAPID process that I am unhappy with. One of these is the difficulty in quantifying the amount of spend in RAPID areas brought about by re-prioritisation. In addition, plans received from the RAPID areas are varied, ranging from small low cost local actions to large scale proposals with considerably higher cost implications. I am endeavouring to separate small scale proposals which can be dealt with at a local level by the Partnerships and the CDB structure, from the large proposals that have to be dealt with at a central Government level. Over the coming weeks and months, discussions will take place with the area implementation teams, partnerships and CDBs in relation to implementing this proposal. My Department will also be discussing the issue with the south and east and BMW regional assemblies.
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 Departments and other Departments during 2002, I am satisfied that sufficient staff resources have been put in place to deal with the programme.
It is a matter for each Department to make allocations to RAPID projects from available NDP funding within their own budgets. As regards my own 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 II and in light of the overall funding position for 2003.
A number of proposals in RAPID plans relate to the community development programme. Allocations of funding to six new community development projects in RAPID areas were announced recently. 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. In addition, core funding was provided under the CDP to St. Munchins CDP – £100,000 - €127,000 – was provided to the building project in 2001 and €25,000 was paid to St. Munchin in 2002 towards equipping the centre.
An amount of €1 million was also allocated under the premises initiative to a local drugs task force project in Tallaght.
My Department has provided €2.2 million to the area implementation teams to support the local areas in the preparation and implementation of their plans.
In regard to CLÁR, the measures introduced under the programme were decided after consultation with the communities in the areas concerned. Furthermore, they are, for the most part, operated in tandem with the lead Departments or agencies, as appropriate, thus ensuring efficiency and effectiveness as well as meeting the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas.