Vol. 571 No. 2
316 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the specific allocation of his staff whose principal duty is to ensure that his Department is effectively engaged with RAPID communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21399/03]
There are a number of measures in place in my Department to support the RAPID programme, including the funding of the local co-ordinators for each RAPID area, managing the co-ordination of the programme across the Department and ongoing consultation with senior management in the local authorities concerned.
The RAPID programme for the local government sector is managed, co-ordinated and led by the local government policy section in my Department with input from one principal officer, one assistant principal officer, one administrative officer and one clerical officer. This input involves liaison on RAPID projects with other relevant sections in my Department, and the preparation and co-ordination of regular progress reports on RAPID projects for local area implementation teams and the national monitoring committee.
In addition, staff in programme areas such as housing, roads and local services, environmental awareness, waste infrastructure, and traveller accommodation are also involved in securing progress on RAPID projects. Their work involves examination and consideration of each RAPID project submitted by local area implementation teams and liaising with local authorities, as appropriate, regarding the delivery of these projects on the ground.
