Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 68: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if matching funding is still available to community projects under the RAPID scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19008/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, the RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 51 designated RAPID areas nationally.

As has been outlined 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/live/RAPID - and the Deputy may find it useful to review this information.

In the context of supporting small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas, the RAPID leverage schemes were initiated in 2004. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities, the provision of playgrounds and multi-use games areas and the provision of facilities in schools located in, or mainly servicing children from, RAPID areas.

Funding of €5m is being provided in my Department's Vote in 2010 to support a number of projects under the leverage schemes. My primary focus will be to ensure that the front-line services being supported by my Department - and especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities - are protected. Given that the schemes are demand-led, it is not possible to indicate the extent of demands during 2010. However, I am satisfied that this year's allocation will be sufficient to enable further good progress to be made with small-scale co-funded projects in RAPID areas this year.