Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the RAPID and CLÁR programmes; the number of applications received for funding in respect of each programme in each of the past three years; the amount of funding drawn down in each year for each programme; his views on the benefit of both programmes; if consideration is being given to a review or any major changes in the way the programmes operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18996/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the RAPID Programme, the Deputy should note that 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 RAPID areas.

In 2004, my Department introduced the RAPID Leverage Schemes whereby it directly funds a number of measures such as the Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme, the Physical Environment Improvement Scheme and the Playgrounds Scheme.

In relation to these Schemes, it should be noted that:

· 45 of the 46 RAPID areas applied for grants under the 2007/2008 Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme;

· 35 of the 46 RAPID areas applied under the 2007/2008 Playgrounds Scheme; and

· Applications were also received from 45 of the 46 RAPID areas under the 2009 Physical Environment Improvement Scheme.

While my Department continues to process applications for payment, no new applications are currently being considered at present due to the high level of outstanding commitments.

My Department also co-funds a number of other Leverage Schemes, namely the Sports Capital Top-Up Scheme, the Community-Based CCTV Scheme, the Health Sector Co-fund Scheme and the Small Scale Capital Grants Scheme for Schools. However, it should be noted that applications for these schemes are processed by the lead Departments/Agencies – Tourism, Culture and Sport; Justice and Law Reform; the HSE; and Education and Skills, respectively.

The table below details the amount of funding paid out by my Department in the period 2007-09, as well as expenditure to date in 2010, in respect of each measure.

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 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 2009 - Ballina, Dungarvan, Enniscorthy, Mullingar and Rathkeale. The review also proposed changes to the boundaries of some of the other 46 RAPID areas and I anticipate that I will be bringing proposals to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.

In relation to the CLÁR Programme, the funding and co-funding provided to Government Departments, State agencies and local authorities accelerates 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.

Information in relation to applications received and CLÁR funding provided over the last three years is set out below. For 2010, funding of €8m is available through my Department's Vote to support CLÁR activities.

I am satisfied that the approach of the CLÁR Programme in targeting infrastructural needs in depopulated areas, through co-funding arrangements with other bodies, has been successful. As resources permit, I will continue to assess the priority areas for the CLÁR Programme on an ongoing basis.

Finally, the Deputy should note that, as part of the on-going programme of value for money reviews that are carried out on my Department's programmes and schemes, an evaluation is currently underway on the CLÁR and RAPID Programmes.

TABLE

RAPID PROGRAMME – Expenditure