Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - RAPID Programme.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

466 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to proceed with the RAPID programme; the timescale for the implementation of plans submitted by area implementation teams; if all Departments are fast tracking projects submitted to them under this scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some area implementation teams have stood down due to a perceived lack of progress with regard to RAPID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív):

The Deputy should note that it is the role of my Department, supported by Area Development Management Limited, to co-ordinate the implementation of the RAPID programme. It is a matter for Departments to report on progress in relation to implementing RAPID proposals that fall within the remit of their areas.

The Government remains committed to the RAPID programme and its implementation. My officials have had a number of bilateral meetings with other relevant Departments in recent months to advance the implementation of the programme. In addition I hope to meet my ministerial colleagues in other Departments in the coming weeks to further advance the plans.

As regards my own Department, proposals from the RAPID Strand I and II plans fall to be considered under the young peoples facilities and services fund, the community development programme and funding for local drugs task force projects.

In the case of proposals relevant to the YPFSF, the position is that the national assessment committee of the fund, which is chaired by my Department, is currently examining capital proposals submitted by the development groups under round II of the fund. With regard to services projects, the committee is awaiting the completion of the external evaluation of the fund before seeking such proposals under round II. The first draft of the evaluator's report was received in mid January and is being examined by the NAC at present. 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.

A number of proposals in RAPID plans relate to the community development programme. While there has been no additional allocation of funding in respect of community development projects to date, the Deputy should note that in many cases pre-development work is under way. The full establishment of groups as community development projects in 2003 is subject to available resources but those in RAPID areas will receive due priority.

A number of proposals from the RAPID plans are also being pursued through the local drugs task forces.