Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2365. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the various RAPID programmes operating in the Dublin area; the funding that each has received in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the other funding that has been allocated for the RAPID programmes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33580/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original RAPID programme was closed to applications from 2011. Spend from 2011 to 2016 reflects my Department’s contractual commitments under unfinished RAPID projects, mainly under the Sports Capital Scheme. Total expenditure was €317,000 in 2015 and €32,000 in 2016.
In 2017, a new programme was put in place. Rather than having designated RAPID areas and Area Implementation Teams, each Local Authority area received €64,500 and the Local Community Development Committees decided how that funding was allocated. Information on the projects funded during 2017 is available on the following link:
https://drcd.gov.ie/revitalising-areas-by-planning-investment-and-development-rapid /.
In May 2018, I launched the new Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The CEP replaces and builds on the RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme (CFS) making for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.
The decision to replace RAPID and CFS with the new programme was made on foot of a review carried out by my Department. Details of the review are available on the Department's website at the following link: https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Review-of-Communities-Facilities-Scheme-and-RAPID.pdf.
Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are currently advertising for applications for the CEP and final decisions regarding funding allocations within each local authority area will be made by the relevant LCDCs.
