Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the degree to which his Departmental budget is expected to be extended to meet social and economic requirements in rural areas in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17003/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 110 earlier today.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he expects to make further funding available through the schemes operated by his Department to community based groups in urban areas in 2009 in view of the emerging economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding for most programmes operated by my Department has been reduced, reflecting the realities of the economic situation facing the country. I still expect a strong spend on programmes such as the CLAR and RAPID leverage funds as existing commitments are met. My priority will be to ensure that my Department's programmes are focussed on priority areas and frontline services, which should minimise negative consequences of funding reductions.

My Department has approved funding for the Drugs Task Force for the first six months of 2009 and this expenditure will be reviewed before allocating the remaining funding for the second half of the year. My Department will be working with the Task Forces to ensure that this funding is targeted in the most appropriate manner.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he proposes to modify the RAPID programme to take account of the economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17005/09]

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 the 46 designated RAPID areas. In addition, the RAPID leverage schemes 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.

The 2009 budget for RAPID is €7.49m. I would emphasise that one of the strengths of the RAPID 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 both small rural communities and the most deprived urban communities. The RAPID programme will be continuously refocused to deal with the priorities for those areas, especially in the current difficult economic climate. Furthermore, the Programme works to ensure, now more than ever, that local service providers work together efficiently to ensure effective results within the constraints of reduced budgets.

The Deputy will also be aware that my Department is currently undertaking a review of the RAPID boundaries, where attention at present is focused on an analysis of recent Census data with a view to ensuring that the boundaries of existing RAPID areas are appropriate. I hope to be in a position to report on the results of this review shortly.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will reinvigorate the CLÁR programme with a view to addressing issues arising from the downturn in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17006/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The CLÁR Programme provides funding and co-funding to Government Departments, State agencies and local authorities to accelerate investment in selected priority developments in areas that have suffered significant depopulation. These investments support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a variety of measures. The measures introduced under the Programme reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas.

Against the background of the current economic climate I am reviewing the CLÁR programme as a whole, having regard to demand, the funding available and the level of outstanding commitments. As the Deputy is aware the CLÁR programme budget for 2009 is €16.860m. One of the strengths of the CLÁR Programme has always been its ability to focus on priority needs in CLÁR areas.