Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for funding was received from Meath County Council under the community graffiti reduction programme 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2584/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Graffiti Reduction Programme is managed for the Department by Pobal in such a way that it is divided into two distinct phases. In 2008 grants were made under Phase 1 of the scheme. It offered each RAPID area the opportunity to receive a ring-fenced budget allocation (of up to €30,000) for graffiti removal work, using a list of approved contractors.

Under this phase of the programme, 44 applications (from a total of 46 RAPID areas) were received. Each of these qualified for a maximum allocation of €30,000 and funds of €1.2 million were allocated to this Phase. Meath County Council and Navan Town Council submitted a joint application under Phase 1 of the scheme. The Navan RAPID area was allocated €30,000. Under Phase 1 the core responsibilities of beneficiaries were to identify graffiti; decide which items of graffiti they wanted to spend their budget on; ensure that graffiti removal companies can access the graffiti sites; check the completeness/thoroughness of removal work

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amounts and recipients of grants under the community graffiti reduction programme 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Graffiti Reduction Programme (CGRP) is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Its aims are to: support an immediate reduction in the extent and impact of graffiti within the communities who participate in the programme; develop local mechanisms within these communities to support the long-term reduction of incidences of graffiti.

The scheme is managed and delivered by Pobal. Phase 1 of the programme applied to RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) areas only. It offered each RAPID area the opportunity to receive a ring-fenced budget allocation of up to €30,000 for graffiti removal work using a list of approved contractors. Under this phase of the programme, 44 applications (from a total of 46 RAPID areas) were received. Phase 1 of the scheme commenced in March 2008 and approx €1 million was spent. The core responsibilities of beneficiaries were to: identify graffiti; decide which items of graffiti they wanted to spend their budget on; ensure that graffiti removal companies were able to access the graffiti sites; check the completeness/thoroughness of removal work

Phase 2 of the scheme was launched in April 2008 which extended to all areas of the country. In addition to the graffiti removal element, it proposed to fund a wide range of activities to reduce the long-term impact of graffiti on communities by the provision of training and other preventative measures at local level. The Board of Pobal completed its assessment of the applications and made recommendations for allocation of funds to groups in respect of 28 projects. However, in light of current financial circumstances this phase of the scheme is now under review.