Communities Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has visited a number of 'RAPID' regeneration projects in Athlone.

Speaking during his visit - which looked at the RAPID initiative which targets the most disadvantaged areas in the country - Minister Ó Cuív said: "I am delighted to be here today to see the progress being made in the Athlone RAPID area and I know that much of this success to date is down to the co-ordinated approach of local agencies and representatives on the ground."

He said this approach was the "cornerstone of the RAPID programme".

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Mr Ó Cuív added: "Like all Government programmes the RAPID programme will be continuously refocused to deal with the priorities for RAPID areas, especially in the current difficult economic climate.

"However, this Government is as committed as ever to supporting the most deprived, vulnerable and socially excluded communities in our country."

Anne Galvin RAPID Co-ordinator for Athlone said: "As RAPID Co-ordinator I have to point out that the developments in the Athlone RAPID area would not have been achieved had it not been for the collaboration and support of all the agencies and statutory bodies and their staff who gave every support and help to the RAPID Programme."

RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) is a focused Government initiative to target the 51 most disadvantaged areas in the country.

The programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 51 designated areas through targeting state resources, available under the National Development Plan.

(PR/BMcC)