Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has or intends to offer financial assistance to community groups attempting to combat anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26825/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing anti social behaviour is a matter primarily for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That said, my Department operates a number of programmes and schemes supportive of communities both urban and rural it might be said that some or all of these schemes through the provision of financial or other types of support might have a positive impact indirectly on the incidence of anti-social behaviour in communities. Details of the schemes and programmes operated by my Department are available on its website at www.pobail.ie. If the Deputy has specific questions about a programme I or my Department will be happy to oblige.

In this context I should specifically mention the RAPID leverage scheme and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund.

RAPID Leverage Scheme.

Since the introduction of the RAPID leverage schemes, I have allocated over €5m to improving the general environment of housing estates, including the provision of funds to install traffic calming measures; €6m to provide playgrounds and over €8m to provide additional resources to sporting organisations located, or servicing young people, in RAPID areas. I have also allocated €2m to support initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the development of community CCTV and dealing with the removal of graffiti in RAPID areas.

Young People's Facilities and Services Fund.

Over €130 million has been allocated to date to support the work of the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund in Local Drug Task Force areas (Dublin, Bray and Cork, as well as in Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Carlow). The main aim of the fund is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into recreational facilities and activities, and to divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse and associated anti-social behaviour.

There are now over 560 community-based projects, employing more than 400 people, which are supported through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces and the work carried out in these projects is supportive of communities in their endeavours to combat anti-social behaviour.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of urban based support programmes set up by his Department in the past twelve months; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26826/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department implements and funds a wide range of measures, schemes and programmes for the development and support of various communities, urban and rural. Details of these can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie. My Department has not set up any new urban based support programmes during the past twelve months.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to support community based organisations in County Kildare in the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26827/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which urban or rural community groups in County Kildare are expected to qualify for grant aid under the various schemes run by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26828/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department implements and funds a wide range of measures, schemes and programmes for the development and support of various communities, urban and rural. Details of these can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.

In relation to the provision of support to community based organisations in County Kildare over the next twelve months, I can confirm that the funding supports provided by my Department over the coming period for the development of urban and rural communities country wide, including Co. Kildare, will be in line with the Agreed Programme for Government, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the ongoing emerging needs of communities, both urban and rural.

Application forms and detailed guidelines in respect of the schemes and programmes operated by my Department, including eligibility and assessment criteria are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. It is open to any individual or group to consider making an application for funding under these schemes and programmes.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of the community based programmes run or funded by his Department; his intentions to expand or extend such activity in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26831/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes, measures and schemes for the development and support of various communities, both urban and rural.

The community based programmes operated or funded by my Department include:

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP)

RAPID Programme

PEACE II and INTERREG III

Community and Voluntary Supports

Funding Scheme for Training and Supports in the Community and Voluntary Sector

The Scheme of Community Support for Older People

The Programme of Grants for Locally-based Community and Voluntary Organisations

Community Services Programme

Community Development Programme

LEADER Programmes

Rural Social Scheme

CLÁR

Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund

Gaeltacht and Islands Schemes

Details in relation to the administration, operation and the extent of the funding available for these community based programmes over the coming period can be accessed on my website at www.pobail.ie.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the future operation and development of these community based programmes will be in accordance with the Agreed Programme for Government and the National Development Plan 2007-2013.