Departmental Programmes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004

Wednesday, 10 November 2004

Ceisteanna (144)

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

191 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding which has been allocated to the RAPID scheme from his Department’s budget since the commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28378/04]

Freagraí scríofa

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

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

The RAPID concept is to co-ordinate the functions of different agencies. It has not attracted departmental funding per se. However, in 2004 the estimated value of the FÁS community employment activities associated with RAPID areas and which are funded from FÁS existing resources will be in the region of €60 million.