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Departmental Programmes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Questions (74, 75, 76, 77)

Joan Burton

Question:

177 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to the development of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22780/04]

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Gay Mitchell

Question:

185 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date under the RAPID playgrounds grant schemes; if it is envisaged that this scheme will be expanded and receive increased funding into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22677/04]

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Pat Breen

Question:

209 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to expand the system of co-funding projects with other Departments for development projects in RAPID areas; if additional measures are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22699/04]

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Bernard Allen

Question:

216 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to expand the RAPID programme to additional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22740/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 185, 209 and 216 together.

As I stated previously, in future the RAPID programme will operate on a number of different levels in tandem. In the first instance there are many small-scale proposals from RAPID plans that can be dealt with more effectively at local level. To facilitate this, I have introduced a new delivery mechanism, supported by a dedicated fund of €4.5 million in 2004, to progress these proposals. These 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.

A total of €2 million is being provided for the local authority housing estate enhancement scheme. This scheme is being operated by the local authorities and is being funded on a euro for euro basis, €1 million from my Department and €1 million from the local authorities, through the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A total allocation of €60,000 has been made to each RAPID area in strand one and each strand two area has been allocated €40,000.

Funding of €3 million is being provided for the current year to support the development of playgrounds in RAPID areas, €1.5 million from my Department and €1.5 million from the Department of Health and Children. The total allocation for each RAPID area in strand one is €72,000 with strand two RAPID areas receiving an allocation of €60,000. For both of these schemes, the local authority in consultation with the relevant area implementation team, AIT, have selected the locations for the proposed works.

Some €2.2 million top-up funding has been allocated to 73 projects in RAPID areas that were successful under the sports capital programme 2004. All successful projects endorsed by the AIT were considered for top-up funding, with up to 30% additional funding being provided by my Department subject to the total grant not exceeding 80% of project cost or the amount requested by the applicant. I am considering additional measures in consultation with my ministerial colleagues to expand the system of co-funded projects.

As regards the larger projects from RAPID plans that have already been submitted to Departments, these will continue to be considered for funding 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 set out timescales for further actions. 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.

There are no plans to establish new RAPID areas. However, Deputies may be aware that Ballyfermot met the criteria for inclusion in the RAPID programme but was omitted from strand one owing to its inclusion in the URBAN II programme. I am examining this apparent anomaly at present.

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