John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach mentioned the Cabinet committee's role in the area of local area disadvantage. Earlier this afternoon the Taoiseach spoke about the positive health statistics in the country. It is important to recognise that they are not universal. There are minority groups and some disadvantaged communities where those health figures are not as good. Yesterday we also saw that there is a greater impact on disadvantaged communities in regard to the challenge of school attendance.

The programme for Government commits us to launching an urban communities initiative to revitalise disadvantaged city areas. I believe there has been a deficiency in this area since the end of the revitalising areas by planning, investment and development, RAPID, programme which used to fund programmes and infrastructure in disadvantaged urban areas. It funded such programmes as childcare facilities, back-to-work employment schemes and also infrastructure such as libraries and sports facilities. I would like the Government to look at reinvesting in the RAPID programme.

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