Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources 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. [19917/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that small-scale proposals from communities under the RAPID Programme are responded to through a range of dedicated RAPID funds, which resource projects such as playground developments, small-scale housing estate enhancements, small-scale community health initiatives, equality for women measures and traffic safety measures. My Department has not had any involvement to date in such funding.

Larger scale local proposals under the RAPID Programme are responded to through Government prioritisation of RAPID areas in the use of mainstream departmental resources and in the allocation of funds such as Dormant Accounts. In the former case, projects which are prioritised under the RAPID Programme and which are the subject of applications under NDP schemes administered by my Department would be eligible for any funding for such schemes provided within my Department's budget.

While to date no RAPID projects have been funded under programmes administered by my Department or by its agencies a significant amount of investment has taken place and/or is planned under communications infrastructure, seafood development, fishery harbour infrastructure and coast protection programmes in RAPID designated areas.

Finally, the 2006 Estimate for my Department provides an allocation of €1m, from the Dormant Accounts Fund, for the purpose of supporting programmes and projects tackling social and economic disadvantage. This funding will be allocated by my Department under the Youth Disadvantage Initiatives Measure in respect of IT initiatives for disadvantaged young people. My Department is currently progressing the terms of this scheme.