Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the development of a new RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) programme, which was allocated €5 million in capital funding in budget 2026; when it is likely that the programme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The current Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a new communities initiative, similar in style to the previous RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) programme, where all state agencies work together to implement community development and town-centre rejuvenation. Capital Funding of €5 million was announced in Budget 2026 for the introduction of the new programme.

My Department is currently examining the potential formulation of this programme. Considerations that will inform the development of the new programme will include, but are not limited to, the changed demographic and socio-economic landscape since the previous programme, potential geographical areas to be considered for targeted support and the levels of funding already available through other schemes in my Department.

It is expected that the new programme will launch in the coming weeks.