Originally Posted by
srfc1928
The Irish government are currently running a regeneration programme of its own called RAPID (revitiliasing areas by planning,Investment and devolpement) Rapid targets 46 of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. The Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to the 46 designated areas by focusing State resources available under the National Development Plan. The Programme also requires the Government Departments and State Agencies to bring about better co-ordination and closer integration in the delivery of services.
An Area Implementation Team (AIT) was established in each of the 46 areas to develop a plan for their area. The AIT brings local State Agency personnel (Health Board, Local Authority, VEC, Dept of Social & Family Affairs, FÁS, etc) the local Partnership Company, residents of the local community and, where they exist, Local Drugs Task Forces, together to prepare a plan identifying the needs of each area.
Areas were selected on a number of key issues,
High Levels unemployment
Early School leaving
Lack of affordable accessible childcare facilities
High-level welfare dependency
Quality of housing stock
Increasing levels of anti-social behaviour
Absence of adequate youth facilities
Lack of sport & recreation facilities
The Sligo Showgrounds is situated in the middle of one of these disadvantaged areas, and on the basis of some of DCFC's criteria for funding should the Showgrounds not receive similar fundingconsidering the government are priortising these areas