Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding he has provided under the RAPID programme to Cork City Council and Cork County Council for each year from 2005 to date in 2009; the criteria within which that funding may be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22917/09]

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 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/Funding%20Programmes/Rapid/Pages/Funding.aspx - 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.

The funding provided under the RAPID programme to Cork City Council and Cork County Council for each year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 is outlined in the tables below.

The criteria within which that funding may be spent is outlined below.

Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme (LAHEE)

Local authorities consult with RAPID Area Implementation Teams (AIT) to agree details of the projects to be supported. Works such as landscaping, paving, improvement of open spaces, seating areas, lighting, boundary walls and works to make open spaces in flat complexes amenable to recreational use may be undertaken under this scheme.

Traffic

This scheme is designed to improve road safety in RAPID areas through works such as dishing and improvement of footpaths, road improvements and the provision of speed ramps and pedestrian lights. It is co-funded on a 50/50 basis by this Department and the relevant Local Authorities.

Playgrounds

This scheme supports the development of new playgrounds or refurbishment of existing playgrounds in RAPID areas. It is funded on a 50/50 basis by this Department and the Department of Health and Children through the Health Service Executive.

* €33,000 from my Department and €33,000 from the Department of Health and Children through the Health Service Executive.

Sports Capital Top-up

Projects are assessed by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and my Department provides top-up funding of up to 30% to successful projects in or serving RAPID areas that have been endorsed by the relevant AIT.