RAPID Community reps and members from the Kilkenny IAP ( Integrated Area Plan Monitoring Committee ) visit community based facilities in IAP / regenerated areas in Dublin. The travelling party included community representatives from the various RAPID areas in the city including Newpark Close, Ossory Park, The Butts, Bishop Birch Place and members of Kilkenny’s IAP
monitoring committee included Cllr Evelyn White and Cllr Marie Fitzpatrick wit Mr Ger Boylan representing the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce.
The aim of the trip was to give an insight into existing regeneration projects and their general impact in previously deprived urban areas.

RAPID Community reps & members of the Kilkenny IAP Monitoring Committee on a recent visit to regeneration projects in Ballymun & The Dublin Docklands

RAPID Community
A number of community applications have been approved by the Department of Community Rural Gaeltacht & Family Affairs. Projects approved in RAPID areas ranged from funding towards women’s groups, computer equipment, and computer training for residents. The tracking and prioritising of existing projects is on-going within Departments. For information on potential funding sources do keep an eye on the RAPID newsletters for project calls. …………….

The field trip incorporated a visit to the regeneration projects in Ballymun including visits to the Community / Arts Center / social housing projects and the newly regenerated Docklands area ( Dublin Docklands Development Authority ). Presentations were made by Sean Cooke Community Consultant & Sheena McCambley ( Ballymun Town Planner ) with Gerry Kelly Director Social Inclusion unit) sharing his experiences from Dublin Docklands regeneration project. The field trip proved to be very successful giving an in-depth insight into urban regeneration.

If you are in the process of submitting a project on behalf of your community, it is important that you continue to contact the Kilkenny AIT for endorsement. AIT meetings continue to take place monthly. For further information please contact Ronan in the County Hall.

The Butts new residents associationup and running
The Butts have recently established a new residents association for further details contact Pat McCauley 10 Connolly st, Telephone: 087 6367907

Large turnout for RAPID Youth Conference
Over 30 community representatives and agency representatives attended the RAPID Youth Conference in the Newpark hotel on the 10th of December 2003. The focus of the meeting was to provide a platform for community representatives and Youth service providers to discuss issues in the City. The next meeting has been scheduled for Feb.

Successful South Eastern Community Rep meeting in Kilkenny

The third South Eastern Community Rep meeting took place in the Newpark hotel on Monday the 20th of January. The meeting was organised by the Kilkenny AIT, and was chaired by Ray Scanlon. Participating reps travelled from Wexford, Waterford, Clonmel, Carlow, and Athy. Each rep updated
the meeting on progress in the relevant RAPID areas. The forum continues to provide a forum where community reps can share experience in the RAPID South Eastern areas. For further details contact Ray Scanlon or Nora Webster.

Back to Education initiative announced for 2004
Funding has been announced for the Back to Education Initiative. The Back to Education Initiative ( BTEI ) provides part-time further education programmes for young people and adults. The aim is to give people an opportunity to combine a return to learning Back to Education initiative announced for 2004

For further information please contact Ronan in the County Hall or application forms can be obtained from The Further Education Development Unit Department of Education and Science 12 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Telephone : 01 878 7144

Web-site now online www.rapidsoutheast.ie