Question: Councillor M. Kennedy

"To ask the Manager to outline what requests for funding to the RAPID Program under the N.D.P. have been made by Fingal County Council?"

The RAPID (Rejuvenation of Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) operates in the four areas of Corduff, Mulhuddart, Mountview and Blakestown in the Mulhuddart Electoral Area.

It is managed through the Directorate of County & Enterprise via a community and multi-agency committee the Area Implementation Team. A full-time co-ordinator is employed on contract to facilitate the process of fast-tracking NDP monies into the designated areas. The Blanchardstown RAPID submitted its plan to a range of Departments of State in mid 2002 with a range of priority initiatives across all agencies.

As such, it is not a matter of the Council applying for RAPID funding but to agree (as in the County Development Board Strategy) to prioritise certain actions as part of an integrated approach to the socio-economic and environmental issues of the area.

The Council continues to receive allocations from the Department of Environment and Local Government to support initiatives in the designated areas. By having some actions prioritised in the RAPID Plan enhances the possibility of these funds being drawn down sooner rather than later.