Vol. 569 No. 4
107 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in regard to the implementation of the RAPID programmes; 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. [17760/03]
110 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the RAPID programmes have been abandoned; and his views on whether this situation will further damage the poorest sections of the community. [15392/03]
111 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the RAPID programme; his plans for the inclusion of additional areas in the RAPID initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [217831/03]
112 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. [17750/03]
130 Mr. O'Shea 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. [17752/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 110, 111, 112 and 130 together.
I want to state categorically that the RAPID programme has not been abandoned. As the Minister responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of the programme I remain, with my other ministerial colleagues, fully committed to RAPID. However, I am on record as saying, that there are certain elements in relation to the RAPID process with which I am unhappy. One of these is the difficulty in quantifying the amount of spends 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 city-county development board, 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, AITs, 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.
My Department supported by ADM Limited, co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. Plans have been prepared for each of the 45 areas and proposals from these plans have been forwarded by ADM Limited to relevant Departments for consideration. As regards my Department, proposals from the RAPID plans fall to be considered under the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF, the community development programme, CDP, and funding for local drugs task forces. The estimated cost of these proposals is in the region of €65 million. 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.
