“Local community participation will ensure the success of the RAPID programme in Rathkeale” - Ó Cuív
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Monday, 11 January 2010
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, will host a public information meeting about the RAPID Programme in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick tomorrow (Tuesday 12/01/10). Rathkeale, along with four other towns (Ballina, Co. Mayo, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and Mullingar, Co. Westmeath), has recently been included in the RAPID Programme. RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) is a focused Government initiative to target the 51 most disadvantaged communities in the country.
Speaking today in advance of the public meeting, Minister Ó Cuív said that he hoped for a high turnout from people in the local community as he believed that community involvement will be key to the success of the programme in Rathkeale.
“Community participation and local ownership are central features of the RAPID Programme,” he said. “Members of the community have the best understanding of how to address their own issues in the most appropriate and effective way, and I am looking forward to hearing the opinions and ideas of Rathkeale residents tomorrow.
“I am sure that this session will be of benefit to everybody involved and am pleased to announce that a representative from the RAPID Area Implementation Team in Tipperary Town, a RAPID area similar to Rathkeale, will also be available to answer questions and share the experiences that they have had on the ground in Tipperary. First-hand insights into the practicalities of running successful projects will be very valuable to the people of Rathkeale.
“This Government is as committed as ever to supporting the most deprived, vulnerable and socially excluded communities in our country. This is a priority. We will continue to tackle social disadvantage in the only way that works in the long-term: positive action and strong community involvement. We are in this for the long-haul. It is unacceptable to us that children growing up in some areas of the country cannot expect the same level of educational attainment or job opportunities as their peers in other areas. We will continue to work towards equality of opportunity for all our children.”
The public information meeting will take place at 4pm on Tuesday 12 January at West Limerick Resources Community Centre, The Square, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.
Editor’s note:
- Community participation and local ownership are central features of the RAPID Programme, which targets the 51 most disadvantaged areas in the country.RAPID has provided playgrounds, community centres, sports facilities, enhanced housing estates, traffic calming measures and much-needed equipment to RAPID communities;
- The Programme gives communities the opportunity to develop innovative projects and initiatives in their own areas;
- The integration of services in the RAPID areas is very successful, with many innovative projects combining two or more community, voluntary or statutory agencies working to greater effect;
- The Area Implementation Team in each RAPID area can direct funding and community resources towards the issues identified by their own communities, and can therefore develop realistic solutions to the specific problems facing individual communities;
- RAPID is linked with the Local Authorities, and is therefore in a good position to develop partnerships between local communities, community and voluntary organisations and state agencies.
For more information on the RAPID programme, please visit www.pobail.ie.
Issued by the Press & Information Office of the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
Tel/Teil: 01 647 3130 Fax/Facs: 01 667 0826 Layla de Cogan Chin 087 6842755
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