In Ballina, Co. Mayo yesterday evening, Monday 2 November 2009, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, held a public information meeting about the RAPID Programme. Ballina, along with four other towns, (Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick), 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.
Minister Ó Cuív explained how the RAPID Programme works and outlined the outcomes and benefits of the initiative, including:
Minister Ó Cuív said:
“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 Minister will hold similar public information meetings in the other four towns recently included in RAPID. The schedule of meetings is as follows:
The schedule of the public information meetings is as follows:
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Saturday 21st November, 2.00pm Venue tbc
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Saturday 21st November, 6.30pm Venue tbc
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Thursday 3rd December, 8.00pm Venue tbc
Rathkeale, Co. Limerick Friday 11th December, 4.00 pm Venue tbc