Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
103. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new developments in the RAPID programme in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54199/12]
View answerThe RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme directs State assistance towards improving quality of life and access to opportunities for communities in fifty one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country. In May 2009, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick were included in the RAPID Programme. I have provided €440,000 in 2012 for the five new RAPID towns (€88,000 each), to fund a number of projects designed to improve the infrastructure of these communities. These projects are currently in the process of drawing down this funding.
To date this year, my Department has provided €1.77m for RAPID areas. This includes co-funding for Community Based CCTV, run by the Department of Justice and Equality; a Community Support Budget provided to RAPID Area Implementation Teams to enhance the implementation of local plans and to promote wider engagement of the communities with service providers; and funding in Sports Capital Top-Up Grants to Sports Clubs and Organisations within or serving RAPID areas.
A new round of Sports Capital funding in 2012 presented an important opportunity for RAPID areas to develop or upgrade local facilities and acquire valuable equipment, in order to maximise local participation in sport and physical recreation. RAPID has played an active role in promoting this funding opportunity, and in the endorsement process for local applications to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
