Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is a future for the RAPID programmes; if their funding will be protected in budget 2010; the changes he is planning to make to RAPID in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43705/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns among RAPID co-ordinators in Dublin (the projects funded through the RAPID programme in the south west inner city, south inner city, Ballyfermot and Lower Crumlin) regarding their funding in view of the fact that this is having a detrimental effect on their planning for 2010 and undermining their confidence to deliver on their mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43706/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

The Government is committed to the RAPID Programme. This was confirmed by a Government decision taken in May 2009 and by the revised Programme for Government 2009.

As has been 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.

The 2010 budget for RAPID within my Department will be determined as part of the estimates process, which is currently underway.

I am not aware of the specific concerns to which the Deputy refers; however, I hold formal meetings with all the RAPID Coordinators as well as the Chairpersons of the RAPID Area Implementation Teams several times a year. The next such meeting is scheduled to take place in January next, and I anticipate that progress in relation to individual RAPID areas will be discussed at that meeting.