Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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454. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of meetings organised since march 2011 at national level between his Department and the chairs and coordinators of the RAPID teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23003/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the dates on which the RAPID national coordinating committee has met since he was appointed Minister; if he has attended these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23004/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 455 together.

The National Monitoring Committee for the RAPID programme met on 6 October 2010. My Department last met with RAPID Chairs and Coordinators at a conference in February 2012 as part of an extensive consultation process in the context of the development of local government reform proposals.  As part of my continuing engagement with both the local development and local government sectors, I have met with many of the Chairs and Coordinators at different times and in various fora.  No meeting of the National Monitoring Committee is scheduled at present. However in implementing local government reform decisions, my Department will continue to consult as necessary with the relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, Local Development Companies, RAPID Area Implementation Teams and others.

My Department will continue , as far as possible, to ensure that RAPID areas are prioritised under social inclusion measures in 2013 and beyond.