Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.

I am pleased the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív is here. As he knows quite well, his Department has been in the firing line since the publication of the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, commonly known as an bord snip chaired by Professor McCarthy. I tabled this matter as somebody who is deeply immersed in the community and a former member of an AIT for RAPID. Having spoken to people in disadvantaged areas, I found they are concerned about the prospect of the RAPID scheme being disbanded. I understand they were talking in a vacuum because the budget has not yet been published and we have had no Government decision on the McCarthy report. However, it is important that we hear the direction we can expect the Government to take in the context of disadvantaged urban areas which are involved in the RAPID scheme.

The development of communities has happened as a consequence of RAPID. Its establishment allowed for investment to be made in tandem with councils and other agencies. It benefitted communities through empowering people and giving them an opportunity to build, strengthen and enhance not only the public realm but their lives, their social and educational skills and their opportunities. The value of RAPID was missed completely by the McCarthy report. One cannot quantify in monetary terms the investment RAPID has provided to communities, but it is fair to say it has improved the quality of life in them. I have been a public representative since 2004 and have been very involved with RAPID and see and welcome its benefits. The key point is that it has given people a new lease of life, a new way forward and a new road map.

Past generations of people experienced a revolving door which went nowhere. The RAPID educational opportunities focused on self-enhancement, self-empowerment and self-awareness which, along with the physical projects, allowed for immeasurable work and progress to be made. I hope the intention is not to abolish the programme because that would be a grave mistake and would send out the wrong message. I understand and appreciate that we are in difficult economic times and that cutbacks have to be made in certain areas and situations. However, telling the most vulnerable in our society that the cuts start with them sends out the wrong message to communities.

I passionately believe that the Minister is as genuine in his commitment to RAPID as he has been in the past. I say that with honesty because I am the spokesperson on this area for Fine Gael in the Seanad. I know the involvement he and the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy John Curran, had and continue to have in it and that is why it is important to set out our stall early before the budget to give people hope. People have said: "Since RAPID came board the effect on the community has been absolutely astounding. You can feel a buzz and the community is very optimistic". Other people said, "We have a springboard project, new playground, sports facilities have been improved and new facilities have been developed, and after years of neglect we are seeing changes to the physical environment in partnership with local communities". Another person told me:

I can now talk directly to the superintendent in my area, explain to him some of the problems we are experiencing and we can work together to create solutions. I understand he cannot solve all our problems but we are working together and have made a good start. When we started the safety forum we had two or three pages of problems. Now each week we are down to half a page. That is real accountability and success.

These are quotes from the Togher and Mahon RAPID areas in Cork, with which I am familiar. I praise the people of Togher and Mahon who embraced RAPID and were encouraged by the Government and Cork City Council to do so.

The McCarthy report, if it is implemented, will condemn people to a life of struggle without cause for optimism. They will be at the last port of call for funding. I look forward to the Minister's reply and hope it will be positive. We must give a message of hope and optimism, and the people of Togher and Mahon in Cork city want such hope and vision continued through the partnership which RAPID has brought about.