Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

My Department’s local and community development programme, LCDP, is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current programme officially ended at the end of 2013, having operated for four years with funding of €281 million over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47 million pending the roll-out of the new social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, in April 2015.

My Department provides LCDP funding to Comhar na nOileán Teoranta, the local development company for the islands, for the delivery of LCDP to offshore islands. In terms of the successor programme, SICAP, the intention is that island areas would be eligible for inclusion in the tendering process currently under way and due to be completed in February 2015. SICAP funding allocations are informed by a specific resource allocation model, or RAM, which focuses on relative disadvantage of individual areas.

Discussions have taken place recently between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, which has lead responsibility for the islands, in response to issues raised regarding the continuation of funding for the development offices on several non-Gaeltacht Islands. This reflected the fact that the issues involved are broader than just those relating to SICAP. Both Departments fully understand the importance of the community development infrastructure on these islands. Along with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, Deputy Joe McHugh, I will be ensuring both our Departments agree a workable solution in the matter. In the meantime, LCDP funding for the groups concerned will continue until the end of March 2015.

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