Mary Upton
Question:31 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to the future of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16801/04]
View answerThursday, 3 June 2004
Questions (38, 39, 40, 41)
Olivia Mitchell
Question:55 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he envisages that larger projects will be funded through the RAPID programme in the near future; if he has received applications from larger project proposals; the type of projects he views will be funded in this scenario; and when he expects that this funding will begin. [16662/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 55 together.
As I have said previously, I envisage that in future the RAPID programme will operate on a number of levels in tandem. In the first instance, there are many small-scale proposals from RAPID plans that have been sent unnecessarily to Departments for consideration, when they could be dealt with more effectively at local level. In light of this, I have introduced a new delivery mechanism supported by a dedicated fund for 2004, to progress these proposals. Proposals will be co-funded by the relevant Department or local agency under a number of categories, with broad levels of funding agreed at national level.
In this regard, I recently announced details of a local authority housing estate enhancement scheme with total funding of €2 million. It is being funded on a euro for euro basis, with €1 million from my Department and €1 million from the local authorities through the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Funding of €3 million is also being provided to support the development of playgrounds in RAPID areas. My Department is providing funding of €1.5 million and a further €1.5 million has been made available by the Department of Health and Children. It is proposed that an allocation of funding will be made to each area under each measure above and that the local authority, in consultation with the relevant area implementation team, will select the projects to be supported. I also intend to allocate top-up funding to successful projects from RAPID areas under the sports capital programme and €1.5 million has been set aside for this purpose.
As regards the larger projects from RAPID plans that have already been submitted to departments, these will of course continue to be considered for funding from within existing funding streams in each Department. However, I expect that Departments will now be dealing with a smaller number of projects and will therefore be in a better position to prioritise projects and to set out timescales for further actions. Details of allocations by Departments to proposals can be found in RAPID departmental reports at www.adm.ie. Work on improving integration and co-ordination of service delivery at local level will continue, as this is a key component of the RAPID programme.
Paul Connaughton
Question:32 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the rural social economy programme will be extended to all rural areas; when this is likely to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16667/04]
View answerPaul Connaughton
Question:80 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the situation for workers on the rural social economy programme who have completed two years of employment on the scheme; if he can guarantee that they will be able to continue on the programme if they so desire, after a period of two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16666/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 80 together.
I launched the rural social scheme on 17 May last and the first phase of the scheme covers eight areas. It is planned that the scheme will be extended to all areas within two months. Successful applicants for participation on the scheme will initially participate on the scheme for one year but this can be extended. However, in the event that there is greater demand than places at the end of the first year then priority will be given to new entrants. Those who have completed their one year period of participation can re-apply the following year when the same conditions will apply.