Vol. 575 No. 5
14 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the RAPID allocation in the estimates for 2004 will be spent; and the input there will be for partnership companies and community groups in the allocation of these funds. [28627/03]
38 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals for funding smaller localised initiatives and projects in RAPID areas in 2004; the criteria and functions envisaged for the RAPID area implementation teams, which he cited in response to a Parliamentary Question on 21 October 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/03]
79 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the extra moneys to be allocated to the RAPID programme in 2004 will be spent; his priorities for the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28645/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 38 and 79 together.
As I have already outlined to the House in my reply to Priority Question No. 2 on 27 November 2003, a total of €5.8 million has been provided in my Department's Vote for 2004, under a new subhead for the RAPID programme. The breakdown of this amount is €4.5 million for capital expenditure and €1.3 million for current expenditure.
I have stated on occasions in the past, many of the proposals from RAPID plans have been sent to Departments for consideration, when it would be much more efficient for them to be dealt with at local level. To this end, a dedicated fund of €4.5 million has been set aside for capital expenditure for the RAPID programme to support such projects. This funding will be used as leverage money to facilitate co-funding from State agencies. I hope to make an announcement shortly on the precise way in which the money will be spent, but as I have previously stated, area implementation teams will be involved in this process.
The €1.3 million current funding will be provided to ADM to meet administration expenses and to provide support to area implementation teams.
