Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received an application from a group (details supplied), to extend the RAPID areas within their particular geographical remit; if in this context, he will take steps to include two additional estates as pointed out in a submission for inclusion in RAPID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18908/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 46 designated RAPID areas. The Government has given a commitment to continue to prioritise investment in the existing RAPID areas and no area currently included in the Programme will lose its eligibility for priority treatment. My attention at present is focused on an analysis of recent Census data with a view to ensuring that the boundaries of existing RAPID areas are appropriate. A key concern will be to ensure that the effectiveness of the RAPID Programme is not diluted and that Government action continues to prioritise and target communities with the greatest needs. The area referred to in Athlone will be examined as part of the overall analysis of Census data.