Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2005
594 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the Ringsend and Irishtown areas of Dublin 4 are not included in the RAPID programme; the steps he will take to ensure their inclusion in that programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28774/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe areas included under the RAPID programme were selected on objective criteria, using factors such as unemployment, income levels, family and social structure, educational disadvantage and high levels of rented local authority housing. Under these criteria, Ringsend and Irishtown were not designated as RAPID areas.
I have no plans to expand the geographical boundaries of RAPID areas to include additional communities. However, as stated previously, I am examining an apparent anomaly in regard to Ballyfermot, which despite meeting the criteria for inclusion in strand one of the programme, was omitted due to its inclusion in the URBAN II programme.
