John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. Since I submitted this question I have since received some information because of my concern that the funding made available for the programme in 2017 was not necessarily targeted at the areas of most disadvantage. The Minister allocated €64,500 to each local authority in 2017. My local authority covers more than one RAPID programme area. I have discovered that one project received €32,000, but it is the only RAPID programme area in my constituency - it is in north Clondalkin - and the project is a general one serving the entire constituency, not just the targeted area. I do not want to be critical of the project because it is a good one; rather, my point is that the RAPID programme area in north Clondalkin did not receive targeted funding. I have the specific details for the Minister. If we are to run a true RAPID programme, the areas of most disadvantage must be recognised and their communities' needs met but the latter did not happen in 2017. Instead, there was a general spend across a wider area.

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