Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the anticipated expenditure on foot of applications received for grant aid under the RAPID programme throughout the country in 2009; the extent to which these applications are expected to be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2966/09]

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 on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. In support, Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and local state agencies. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section — http://www.pobal.ie/live/RAPID — and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information.

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. In 2007 I agreed to co-fund the provision of facilities in schools located in, or mainly servicing children from, RAPID areas.

€6.5m has been allocated in Budget 2009 for the RAPID leverage schemes. While this is a reduction on the amount allocated in 2008, my primary concern will continue to be to make every effort to ensure that the front-line services provided by, or supported through, my Department — especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities — are protected. Given that the RAPID Leverage Scheme is a demand-led, bottom-up funding programme, it is not possible to predict accurately the extent of claims that will be lodged during 2009. However, I am satisfied that this year's allocation will be sufficient to enable further good progress to be made with small-scale co-funded projects in RAPID areas in 2009.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projected cost of applications received by his Department for funding under the CLÁR programme in 2009; the degree to which it is expected to meet such applications in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The CLÁR Programme was set up as an innovative programme to deal with infrastructural deficits in the most peripheral communities in Ireland that had suffered significant population loss. As the Deputy will be aware, measures for roads, water, sewerage, schools, health services, community, and electricity are amongst the many successful initiatives run under the CLÁR Programme.

In a context where funding approved under CLÁR and the level of outstanding commitments increased significantly in 2008, a number of measures were temporarily closed and new applications are not currently being accepted. I am currently reviewing the CLÁR programme as a whole, having regard to demand, the funding available and the level of outstanding commitments. Most payments in 2009 will relate to projects sanctioned in 2008 and previous years.

While the provisional 2009 budget for CLÁR at €18m represents a reduction on the 2008 allocation, the finalisation of allocations across Departments remains under discussion at Government and it is not possible to say at this stage what the outcome of those discussions will be. The Minister for Finance will be publishing the Revised Estimates Volume in due course.

I would emphasise, however, that one of the strengths of the CLÁR Programme has always been the ability to focus on priority needs in those areas. As Minister, I believe that we need to be constantly addressing the new challenges faced by rural communities. The CLÁR programme will be continuously refocused to deal with the priorities for those areas, especially in the current difficult economic climate and I am confident that the CLÁR programme will continue to make a significant, positive, impact.