Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimate of the value of additional public investment in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare arising specifically from that town's inclusion in the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/08]

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 with their projects under the RAPID programme. However, I am advised through the mechanism of the RAPID National Monitoring Committee that over €23 million in local and national investment has been invested in the Athy RAPID area as a result of that area's inclusion in the RAPID Programme.

With respect to my own Department, 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.

Allocations under the RAPID Leverage Schemes and the RAPID Dormant Accounts Additionality Fund to Athy total €1,082,874 to date. A detailed breakdown by Scheme is given in the table below.