RAPID Programme

The RAPID Programme (Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development) was launched in 2002 by the Minister for State for Local Development Eoin Ryan T.D. The RAPID Programme is now managed by Pobal under the auspice of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. There are now 46 areas in cities and towns around Ireland involved in the RAPID Programme, including the following parts of Sligo Town:

1. Cranmore Estate
2. Forthill Estate / Cartron Estate
3. Garavogue Villas / Doorly Park
4. St. Joseph’s Terrace / St. Brigid’s Place / Pilkington Terrace
5. Maugheraboy / Jinks Avenue / Tracey Avenue
   

The RAPID Programme has three specific objectives:

1. To develop a specific integrated policy focus, across the Social Inclusion Measures identified in the National Development Plan, directed at the social groups who are excluded, especially where cumulative disadvantage is pervasive.
2. To tackle, in particular, the spatial concentration of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion within the 25 identified designated disadvantaged areas.
3. To stem the social and economic costs of social exclusion by developing a range of integrated measures such that the physical, social and community infrastructure of designated communities are developed to allow them harness the social capital and capacity necessary for economic and community development.

The following Principles underpin the implementation of the programme:

• Community participation and local ownership.
• Promotion of strategic planning.
• Co-ordination of provision of state services.
• Targeting of additional services, investment and facilities.
• Building on existing structures .
• Complementing existing initiatives.
  

SLIGO RAPID PROGRAMME

A Focus on Disadvantage

Vision: “For communities and agencies to work together with a common purpose to eliminate disadvantage within the five RAPID areas of Sligo”

The RAPID Programme in Sligo is co-ordinated at a local level by Pamela Andison based in the Community and Enterprise Department and by an Area Implementation Team comprising of the following agencies – FAS, VEC, Dept Social and Family Affairs, Sligo LEADER Partnership Company, Health Services Executive, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo Borough Council, Sligo County Council, Garda Siochana and three community representatives representing the RAPID communities. The remit of the Area Implementation Team (AIT) is to take responsibility for the planning and implementation of the programme locally. The RAPID Programme is monitored by the City/County Social Inclusion Measure (SIM) group to ensure that all plans developed are fully integrated with the CDB and agency strategies.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF SLIGO RAPID PROGRAMME TO DATE

The RAPID Programme in Sligo over the past year has achieved many tangible and intangible results through the work and commitment of the Area Implementation Team to developing the programme at a local level.

A second RAPID Local Area Plan is being developed at present to cover 2008-2012. This plan will involve community consultation, analysis of statistical data gathered from State and Voluntary agencies and development of an Action Plan.

The Plan will feature a number of Strategic Themes:

• Health
• Family Support
• Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour
• Youth Support
• Education and Training
• Employment
• Physical Environment.
  

CURRENT PROJECTS IN RAPID AREAS

The total amount of new investment in RAPID areas from 2002-6 arising from the RAPID Programme is just over €6.5 m. The following are examples of projects and initiatives prioritised under the RAPID Programme:

Development of Community CCTV Schemes

After the announcement from DJELR and Pobal regarding the success of the two Community-based CCTV applications, the RAPID Co-ordinator progressed the proposal for CCTV in Cranmore and Forthill through the following process:

• Formation of a Steering Group comprising Sligo Borough Council, Gardai and Community Representatives to agree an action plan;
• Liaison with the Joint Policing Committee for their approval;
• Community consultation regarding the implementation of the CCTV projects in each community;
• A tendering process to satisfy Local Authority legislation and funders’ requirements;
• Developing the technical specification of the cameras and equipment to be used.

Fifteen cameras will be placed in strategic positions in the two estates with Monitoring Rooms in City Hall and the Garda Station accessed by approved personnel only. It is expected that the CCTV system will act as an aid to the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences and breaches of tenancy, improving the quality of life for local residents.

REVIEW OF ENDORSEMENT PROCESS

Voluntary and community groups working in RAPID areas of Sligo Town are required by Government Departments to seek endorsement of funding applications from the RAPID AIT so as to ensure co-ordination of resources and strengthen the applications that are being submitted. During 2006 the AIT reviewed the endorsement process in Sligo and has adopted guidelines to be issued to groups who are seeking endorsement so as to simplify the process. A number of applications were endorsed under the Sports Capital Programme and Dormant Accounts Fund, and many were successful. The AIT takes very seriously their responsibilities around endorsement and measures are being taken to revisit successful projects to remind them of their obligations towards RAPID residents.

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION ON AREA IMPLEMENTATION TEAM (AIT)

Currently there are three community representatives on the Sligo AIT, who represent all five RAPID areas. Community participation on the RAPID Programme is of paramount importance and it is seen as crucial that community representatives are supported in feeding into the AIT and in turn, back to their communities. A Community Representatives Team is in place, so that all communities have a voice in the RAPID Programme.

RAPID LEVERAGE FUNDING

A number of Leverage Funding schemes have been put in place by the Dept Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in partnership with both National and local agencies for each of the designated RAPID Areas throughout the Country in 2006.

Sligo benefited from these schemes in the following areas:

Playground Scheme

Funding was announced in 2005 for the provision of Acorn Park, a children’s playground in Cranmore and this was formally opened in September 2006. A code of practice was developed by the community, for the responsible use of the playground by children and parents.

More play facilities were provided in 2007 – such as the featured I-Play Unit in Doorly Park. An additional item of equipment will be provided in Hillside Playground, Forthill to complete the upgrade of this playground.

Traffic Calming

The Mercy Convent area in Pearse Road, Sligo was seen as a traffic black-spot at school collection and drop-off times, so through the AIT an application was made for the Traffic Calming Leverage Grant and provision of a lay-by was soon completed. Sligo Borough Council matched funding and this initiative was provided in a very short timeframe.

Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme

Preparatory works for the playground in Cranmore were necessary before the play area could be provided – so for this reason the HES grant was utilised in Cranmore in 2006.

The funding for the 2007-8 initiative was awarded to Cartron Estate and Fairgreen for environmental works including levelling and fencing.

Educational Leverage Schemes

A new initiative was launched in 2006 relating to the provision of equipment, furniture and other small capital items. This was in response to requests by AIT’s for educational funding in RAPID areas. National and secondary schools servicing RAPID areas are eligible to apply for funds from the Department of Education and Science.

Dormant Accounts Funding (DAF)

A number of applications were successful under the DAF in 2006 including:

• Forthill Municipal Park - €200,000 was awarded under the RAPID Additionality Scheme
• Older People’s Measure – four successful projects were awarded funding namely Merville Community centre, St.Anne’s Youth and Community Centre, Sligo Leader Partnership Co and Social Services Meals on Wheels. Further applications were supported in 2007 under the Measure and are awaiting assessment by Pobal.
• ICT and Young Peoples’ Measures – these two projects were endorsed and both received funding for improvement of Youthreach IT facilities and for multi-media upgrade for a consortium of groups including Northside CDP and Cranmore Community Platform.
  

OTHER RAPID INITIATIVES

• WAVES (Domestic Violence Service) – a support worker has been working in RAPID areas with community groups and individuals funded by the Equality for Women Measure. This funding has also supported the Refugee Development Plan for Sligo Town.
• Sligo Inter-Agency Refugee Support Group – a measure to address the needs of United Nations programme refugees from Iran on their transfer to Sligo Town. This was facilitated by the Social Inclusion Measures Group of the County Development Board.
• Sligo Inter-AgencyTraveller Group – also facilitated and initiated by the SIM group, involving a number of agencies in work to avoid duplication and address gaps in provision of services for this target group.
• E-Citizen Women’s Computer Training Project – this Equality for Women funded measure involves local groups being trained in basic computer skills and passing on those skills to other women.
• Sligo County Drugs Taskforce – member of group
• Cranmore Community Safety Taskforce – the RAPID Coordinator co-convened this group which involves Gardai, Fire Officers, County Veterinary Officer and community members in designing solutions to issues affecting the estate.