Bernard J. Durkan
Question:230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for expenditure under the CLÁR scheme in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7952/07]
View answerWednesday, 28 February 2007
Questions (170, 171, 172, 173)
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:233 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, arising from previous years experience, he will expand or extend the remit of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/07]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 233 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas, which was launched in October 2001. The areas covered by the Programme were reviewed in 2002 and, more recently, in 2006 and as a result, CLÁR now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000. I have no plans at present for a further review of the Programme.
With regard to expenditure, a budget of €18.683m has been allocated to the Programme for 2007. The proposed breakdown of that expenditure is detailed below:
|
(€000s) |
|
|
Road and Water Schemes |
13,456,000 |
|
Sport, Community & Enhancement Schemes |
2,367,000 |
|
Health and Education |
1,130,000 |
|
Energy & Telecommunications |
622,000 |
|
Other |
1,108,000 |
|
Total |
18,683,000 |
Under the Programme in 2007, a number of new initiatives will be introduced in the areas of health and coastal development and a number of other new measures are also under consideration by my officials at present.
I feel that the approach being implemented under the Programme whereby small community and rural infrastructural projects are being supported — many of which might otherwise not be funded — is having a very positive impact on the lives of people living in the CLÁR areas.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:231 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent of his proposals for expenditure under the RAPID scheme in 2007; the way it will compare with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7953/07]
View answerBernard J. Durkan
Question:232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will develop and expand the RAPID programme to deal with a wider range of issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7954/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.
The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. In addition, RAPID priority status was extended to Ballyfermot in 2006. My Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme.
As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. The provision in my Department's Vote funds two elements of the Programme. The first relates to the costs of the administration of the Programme; the second element relates to the RAPID Leverage Fund schemes.
I initiated the Leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti clean-up, traffic calming, CCTV, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds. Since the introduction of these schemes I have increased the amount of funds allocated from some €6.5m in 2004 to some €11.0m in 2006. I am satisfied that the capital allocation of €7.8 million in 2007 is sufficient to meet the funding commitments I have approved for these schemes including the balance of funds allocated in 2006. Actual spend in each year since 2004 on leverage of small scale projects was 2004 €1.98m, 2005 €4.51m and 2006 €4.54m.
In terms of expansion of the scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the joint initiative announced in January 2007 with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science that will enable €18m worth of investment in schools in RAPID areas.
Question No. 233 answered with QuestionNo. 230.