Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the additional funding spent in the targeted areas of disadvantage in the State under the RAPID programme on projects not outlined in the National Development Plan by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19919/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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There is no specific funding available through my Department for distribution under the RAPID programme, which is the responsibility of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Areas targeted under the RAPID programme are, however, prioritised for investment and development under the national lottery-funded Sport Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department. This programme allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities, and one of its stated objectives is the prioritisation of the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities.

Applications located in RAPID areas are given higher priority in the assessment process, provided that they meet the basic eligibility criteria for the programme as highlighted in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. Those applications from RAPID areas that are also endorsed by their local Area Implementation Team (AIT) receive the highest priority.

Since the formation of my Department, the amounts allocated under the Sports Capital Programme to projects located in RAPID areas are set out in the table below.

In addition, since 2004 those projects allocated grants in RAPID areas that are also endorsed by their AIT have been allocated additional 'top-up' funding by my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív. To date, this top-up funding has amounted to more than €4.5 million.

Applications for funding under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on November 27th and 28th last. The closing date for receipt of applications was January 20th 2006. A total of 1,338 applications for projects costing €670 million and seeking funding of €312 million were received. All of these applications, including those located in RAPID areas, are currently being evaluated against the programme's detailed assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.

Finally, under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is also administered by my Department, the funding allocated to swimming pool projects located in RAPID areas since the formation of my Department is set out in the table below.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional funding spent in the targeted areas of disadvantage in the State under the RAPID programme on projects not outlined in the National Development Plan by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19920/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. I shall communicate the information to the Deputy when it becomes available.