Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to liaise with urban and rural support groups involved in social regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14458/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's mandate includes the promotion and support of both urban and rural communities.

Against this background, my officials and I liaise on a daily basis with a wide range of communities across the country, including urban and rural support groups involved in social regeneration such as integrated local development companies, rural development groups, urban based partnerships, Rapid Area Implementation Teams, and Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. I can assure the Deputy that this work will continue to receive priority.

Details of the scope of the work undertaken by my Department, including funding available to urban and rural support groups involved in social regeneration, can be found on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the future of the RAPID programme with particular reference to the possibility of extending the scope of the programme to address the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14460/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In order to ensure the continued relevance of the RAPID Programme, a review of RAPID area boundaries, including an analysis of data from Census 2006 across a range of socio-economic and deprivation indicators, has been undertaken with the intention of allowing adjustments necessary to ensure that areas are appropriately targeting the most disadvantaged communities.

Following the review, the Government approved the inclusion of five new towns in the RAPID Programme in May last — Ballina, Dungarvan, Enniscorthy, Mullingar and Rathkeale.

The review also proposed changes to the boundaries of some of the other 46 RAPID areas and I expect to bring proposals to Government in this regard in due course.

I anticipate that, through its focus on deprivation and social exclusion, the RAPID Programme will continue to address the impact of the economic downturn on vulnerable communities and to provide opportunities for social and economic recovery.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to expand the CLÁR scheme operated by his Department; the extent to which he has examined the scope for expansion in this area having particular regard to the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14461/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding of €8m is being provided for the CLÁR Programme in 2010 by my Department. However, as CLÁR leverages funding through other Departments and Agencies, the value of the investment that is being supported in rural areas through the Programme will be considerably higher. I have no immediate plans to further expand the Programme.