Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he intends to increase expenditure in 2006 under the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23125/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme. It is a matter for each Department to report on progress and spends on RAPID projects that fall to them to implement.

My Department implements the RAPID Leverage Funds, which I initiated in 2004. The funding available for the RAPID Leverage Funds has increased dramatically from €4.5 million in 2004 to €7.8 million in 2006. So far in 2006 I have announced the continuation of two schemes under the leverage fund, Traffic Measures 2006/2007 and the Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme 2007/2008. I expect to launch further schemes during this year.

Also this year, €11.5 million from the Dormant Accounts fund has been ring-fenced for priority projects put forward by RAPID AITs (Area Implementation Team). Each RAPID AIT has submitted a list of their priority projects for consideration. These proposals will be brought to Government in the near future for decision according to the procedures set out in the Act.