Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all LEADER and partnership groups are working together in integrated bodies under the cohesion process. [7768/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The core objective of the current round of the cohesion process is the alignment of local, community and rural development structures to achieve full coverage within a given area.

The Deputy will be aware that the key principles governing the process are:

improving on the ground services, supports and impacts on local communities, from within existing levels of resources,

streamlining and rationalising structures so as to avoid overlaps, duplication and undue administrative overheads,

bringing transparency, co-ordination and improved control to the funding and operation of local/community development measures,

strengthening the democratic accountability of agencies and service providers in this area.

The intention is, that from 2007, there will be one company delivering services in any given area and fewer companies overall in the country. This will lead to improved co-ordination of service delivery and maximise the impact of social inclusion measures at a local level.

At this stage, 25 of the local authority areas and na Gaeltachtaí have fully agreed the delivery structures. Discussions are ongoing in relation to outstanding area. It is expected that agreement will be reached in relation to these outstanding groups in the coming weeks.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to extend the RAPID areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans at present to further extend the areas covered by the RAPID Programme.