Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The RAPID programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 46 designated RAPID areas across the country. It is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Departments and local State agencies. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section, which is http://www.pobal.ie/live/RAPID and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information.

I initiated the RAPID leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the area implementation teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities and the provision of playgrounds and multi-use games areas. In 2007, I agreed to co-fund the provision of facilities in schools located in, or mainly servicing children from, RAPID areas.

A total of €6.5 million has been allocated in the budget for the RAPID leverage schemes in 2009. While this is a reduction on the amount allocated in 2008, my primary concern will continue to be to make every effort to ensure the front-line services provided by my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities. I am satisfied that this year's allocation will be sufficient to enable further good progress to be made with small-scale co-funded projects in RAPID areas in 2009.

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