RAPID, Tralee (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development):

The RAPID Programme is a focused Government response aimed at helping communities living in areas, which have not fully shared in our recent prosperity. RAPID is about prioritising in a coherent, targeted and accelerated way, new and improved services and infrastructural investment to the communities in the RAPID areas. The programme involves a planned and focused approach to spending under the National Development Plan prioritised in favour of specific disadvantaged areas.

The Community & Enterprise Department made an application to Government in 2001 for the extension of the RAPID Programme to towns in Kerry. Government undertook an independent assessment of all the Regional Towns and applied the Programme only to major Regional Towns throughout the Country. Tralee was successful and three RAPID areas were designated namely Shanakill/Rahoonane, Spa Road/Balloonagh Estate, Mitchel's Crescent/St. Martin's Park.

The initial aim of the RAPID Programme was the establishment of an Area Implementation Team (AIT) which consists of all the major public bodies, local development organisations and Tralee Town Council. The Town Council is represented by Councillor Ted Fitzgerald. Some of the key objectives of the RAPID Programme in Tralee include the development and support of community participation, providing accessible, relevant sport, recreation and youth services, developing integrated responses to the housing needs for individuals and families, a clear vision for education and training from early childhood to school completion and the creation of a safe, healthy and enriching environment where communities can participate and feel proud of their areas. The Area Implementation Team has now prepared an Interim RAPID Plan which has been submitted to Government for consideration in the context of the 2003 budget. This Interim Plan contains 15 project proposals covering areas such as education, remedial housing works, community leadership training, environmental awareness, I.T. training, development of community facilities, community employment and social economy projects etc.

While response from Government will be important, the Area Implementation Team is progressing a number of projects locally including the preparation of a comprehensive community profile for each of the RAPID areas, development of an organic town farm, the development of sports facilities in Shanakill and a play area in Mitchel's and equality training for agencies and community and voluntary groups.

The Programme operates locally under the auspices of the Director of Services, Community & Enterprise and approval was received to the employment of a local RAPID Co-ordinator, Ms. Ann O'Dwyer who commenced in this position in July 2002. This position is fully funded by Government and the Area Implementation Team has also been provided with a community participation budget of €15,500.