RAPID
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 10 September 2017
- Last updated on: 10 April 2026
The original RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) scheme was an area-based social inclusion and local development programme launched in February 2001. It aimed to direct State assistance towards improving quality of life and access to opportunities for communities. Funding was provided on a co-funded basis with other Departments and Agencies. All funds were matched by funding from other Departments and Agencies.
In 2011, the original RAPID programme was closed to new applications as part of broader public spending adjustments. A Value for Money Policy Review of RAPID in 2011 recommended that any follow-on programmes should not be rolled out in the same way as the original programme.
Following its closure in 2011, a recast RAPID scheme was launched in 2017. This scheme differed from the original RAPID programme in a number of ways. For example, it used the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) structure to administer funding, rather than having Area Implementation Teams and designated RAPID areas. This policy recognised the LCDCs as being best placed to identify local disadvantage and to incorporate RAPID funding as part of their overall efforts in tackling disadvantage. The recast RAPID scheme was merged with the Communities Facilities Scheme in 2018 to become the Community Enhancement Programme (currently the Local Enhancement Programme).
RAPID - Funding Allocations
RAPID 2017 Summary*
| Local Authority | Funding Allocated |
| Carlow | €64,500 |
| Cavan | €64,500 |
| Clare | €64,500 |
| Cork City | €64,500 |
| Cork | €64,500 |
| Donegal | €64,500 |
| Dublin City | €64,500 |
| Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | €64,500 |
| Fingal | €64,500 |
| Galway City | €64,500 |
| Galway County | €64,500 |
| Kerry | €64,500 |
| Kildare | €64,500 |
| Kilkenny | €64,500 |
| Laois | €64,500 |
| Leitrim | €64,500 |
| Limerick | €64,500 |
| Longford | €64,500 |
| Louth | €64,500 |
| Mayo | €64,500 |
| Meath | €64,500 |
| Monaghan | €64,500 |
| Offaly | €64,500 |
| Roscommon | €64,500 |
| Sligo | €64,500 |
| South Dublin | €64,500 |
| Tipperary | €64,500 |
| Waterford | €64,500 |
| Westmeath | €64,500 |
| Wexford | €64,500 |
| Wicklow | €64,500 |
| Total | €1,999,500 |
These projects were funded under RAPID in 2017
