Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Programmes.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

108 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funding has been sought for a RAPID programme (details supplied); the funding which has been allocated if the application was received; the funding available from her Department in regard to such programmes; the headings under which the funding is available; and the timescale of such funding. [10726/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey):

My Department's contribution to the RAPID programme has been delivered mainly through the prioritisation of existing FÁS programmes funded from the 2002 budget. Support provided by FÁS has been through FÁS community services where the community employment programme is the major element – RAPID areas continue to be prioritised – FÁS employment services, the local employment service and FÁS training services.

Athy is included in Strand 2 of the RAPID programme which was launched in February 2002 to target 20 provincial towns in rural areas. However, to date no application for funding has been received by the Department or FÁS in respect of a RAPID programme in the area.

RAPID as a concept is to co-ordinate the functions of different agencies. It has not attracted fundingper se.