Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding supplied in each of the past three years to sporting organisations in RAPID areas to provide and support and improve facilities for recreational and sporting activities in respect of young people in these areas; if this funding will increase in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40946/08]

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. It is a matter for individual lead Departments to report on their investments in RAPID areas.

RAPID Leverage Funding

Deputies will be aware that, in 2004, I introduced the RAPID Leverage Fund to provide financial support for small-scale projects in RAPID areas, which are endorsed by the RAPID Area Implementation Teams. Under this scheme, my Department provides an additional grant of up to 30% of the funds allocated under the Sports Capital Programme operated by my Colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism for projects in or serving RAPID areas. Indeed from 2008 the overall level of funding has been increased to 90% of the project cost. The table below illustrates funding under this measure in the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

While the level of funding allocated in 2008 shows a reduction on previous years it should be pointed out that the level of proportionality with respect to the SCP funding allocated by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism remains constant also additional funding for sport related initiatives in RAPID areas is available as follows:

Dormant Accounts Funding

Following the enactment of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005, funding is ring-fenced annually to support priority projects in RAPID areas. Since 2007, 15% of the annual €7.5million available under the RAPID Additionality Measure is allocated to sports and youth related activities.

A further €0.2 million of the Dormant Accounts was allocated under the 2006 and 2007 rounds of funding for equipment grants for youth groups with a particular focus on disadvantaged and marginal groups. Details of beneficiaries to date are available on my Department's website www.pobail.ie

YPFSF Funding

The Deputy may also wish to note that the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund also operates in some RAPID areas and to date, over €66m has been allocated in capital funding to support the development of a range of youth, community and sports facilities in the areas in which it operates.