John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 89: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future of the RAPID programme; if he will confirm that sufficient arrangements will be made with local authorities to cover the costs of RAPID co-ordinators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12214/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within designated RAPID areas nationally. It is a matter for relevant Ministers to address progress and deliver in regard to projects within their areas of responsibility in the different RAPID areas.

My Department administers the RAPID Leverage Schemes, which seek to support small-scale projects identified locally by Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes have been co-funded by the relevant agencies, and projects have focused on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities and the provision of playgroups.

The RAPID Programme faces significant challenges, given that the budget for the RAPID Leverage Schemes has fallen from an out-turn of €9 million in 2009 to a capital allocation of €2.5 million in 2011.

To ensure the continued relevance of RAPID, my Department is re-assessing the policy direction of the programme, with a view to greater focus, inter alia, on the coordination and local consultation roles of the programme, and enhancing the opportunities for input by residents in disadvantaged areas. As part of these deliberations, a meeting of the National Monitoring Committee of the RAPID Programme and also a national meeting of the Area Implementation Teams will be held in the near future.

50% of the cost to local authorities of employing the local co-ordinators in RAPID areas is met directly by my Department.