Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Development.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

159 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the success to date of the Athy RAPID programme; the amount spent on the programme to date; and the likely availability of funding in 2004. [28526/03]

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

The RAPID plan from Athy included a number of proposals for funding under various schemes, which have been forwarded to the relevant Departments for consideration. None of the proposals fall within the remit of funding schemes operated by my Department.

Area Development Management Limited, ADM, inform me that it has allocated an amount of €24,100 from the support budget provided by my Department to the Athy area implementation team to support them in the preparation of their plan and in the implementation of the programme.

In regard to the allocations for 2004, I have stated previously that I intend to separate the major issues that must be dealt with at departmental level from the smaller issues that can be dealt with more effectively at local level. Capital expenditure of €4.5 million is being provided in my Department's Vote in 2004 to support such projects. This funding will be used as leverage money to facilitate co-funding from other State agencies to take place and to support works in RAPID areas. I hope to make an announcement in the near future about the precise way this money will be spent.