Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the questions raised was about a comparison of the moneys spent since 2008 and under the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, to date. As the first such programme commenced in 2015, there cannot be a comparison. The funding available in every county under the 2018 to 2022 programme has slightly increased.

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked what had been achieved under the programme. A total of 110,000 people have been supported, as well as 5,030 local community groups. A total of 9,720 people have gained higher qualifications, while 15,923 people have up their own businesses. A total of 38,352 people have taken part in lifelong learning courses. SICAP has worked very well, but what happened in 2008 cannot be compared because the programme did not start until 2015. The second round of the programme will run from 2018 to 2022. As I said, there will be €190 million available for disadvantaged groups over the next five years. The programme is working very well. I am very pleased with it and hope we can target more people to get more people back into the workplace or setting up their own business or obtaining more educational qualifications to give them an opportunity in life. That is what the programme is all about.