Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 109: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans he has to offer assistance to local community groups in the vicinity of Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare with a view to the establishment of a strategic plan for the development of the castle, out-buildings and lands as appropriate, notwithstanding that the property is owned by Coillte Teoranta, in view of the local support for such a venture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25208/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans he has to assist rural or urban groups involved in urban regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25209/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates a wide range of measures, programmes and schemes supportive of both urban and rural communities. This includes the RAPID Programme, which specifically has a regeneration focus for disadvantage areas in both provincial towns and larger urban settings.

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. Funding is provided under this programme specifically for the regeneration of these 46 RAPID areas, including funding for 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. I should add that the programme is monitored by a National Monitoring Committee (NMC), which is chaired by myself, and an important element of each NMC meeting is the input received from the individuals and groups on the ground, via the Area Implementation Teams in each of the Rapid areas.

In addition, the Deputy will be interested to note that my Department provides funding under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) to support Local Area-based Partnerships and Community Partnerships to develop and deliver a wide range of community projects in response to the needs of individual communities, some of which may be of a regenerative nature. Details in relation to the RAPID and LDSIP Programmes and all the programmes and schemes operated by my Department, including guidelines and eligibility criteria, are available from the Department's website at www.pobail.ie. It is open to individuals or groups, including those involved in urban regeneration, to make an application for funding under these schemes and programmes.