Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

A number of years ago, prior to 2002. I can provide proof of that for the Minister if he so wishes. However, that is another broken promise. An estimated €300 million has been spent under the programme. All Departments have been asked to submit reports on funding under it and so on. Departments must not have spent much under this programme because they are not shouting about it. The Minister's colleagues in Government are not shy when it comes to making announcements on the spending of money. Why is there not a separate subhead for this programme in each Department's Estimate? In that way we would know exactly what is spent on the RAPID programme. The people do not know the exact amount being spent on it, and they need to know that.

People were led up the garden path in terms of the RAPID programme. People in my community became involved in this issue, attended many meetings and met elected representatives to put forward new ideas for projects under the RAPID programme. They have plenty of ideas but funding under the programme is not coming through quickly enough. The Minister's Department was allocated only €7.5 million for the programme this year and €4.5 million last year, and his Department is central to this programme. I hope we will hear major announcements in regard to the programme next year and the year after.

The Minister has twice publicly said, for which I commend him, that the RAPID programme is essential and should continue. Is there something about it we do not know? Is there a doubt about the future of the programme when the NDP comes to an end in 2006 because now and on a previous occasion the Minister said that he called for it to continue, hoped the money allocated for it would be increased and that it would continue to operate? Is there a fear that funding for the RAPID programme will be cut and will that programme lose out if there is a change to the NDP?

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