Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if it is intended to extend the scope and scale of the RAPID programme operated by his Department; if the range of activity is in accordance with original expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19198/08]

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 46 designated RAPID areas nationally. As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report progress under the RAPID programme.

I initiated the RAPID leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds and multi-use games areas. These schemes are subject to ongoing review to ensure that they remain responsive to the demands of the RAPID communities. Where opportunities arise, the eligibility of individual schemes can be extended to reflect emerging needs identified by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of his rural development programme in 2008 with particular reference to reductions or increases in expenditure under the various headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19199/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, axes 3 and 4 of which provide €425 million for LEADER type activities. This represents an allocation of almost treble the €150 million available for the 2000-2006 period. Although provision has been made for expenditure of €16 million across the full range of measures in 2008, the Programme will operate on a multi annual basis and expenditure of the full allocation will occur over the lifetime of the programme.