Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department is committed to reviewing all of its schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure the benefits are maximised for local communities.

In 2018, I launched the new five-year SICAP to cover the period from 2018 to 2022. I provided €38 million to the local development companies that implement SICAP in each of the years from 2018 and 2019. Over the full five years I plan to provide €190 million, but this is obviously subject to the budgetary process each year. SICAP funding supports communities to address social inclusion and equality issues and supports disadvantaged individuals in accessing the labour market and learning supports.

This year, my Department is also providing €6.5 million towards the regeneration of Dublin's north-east inner city.

The community enhancement programme, launched in 2018 to address disadvantage through grants for local projects, was allocated €4.5 million in 2019.

Under this programme, €500,000 was ring-fenced in 2018 for provision to the Men’s Sheds Association to purchase equipment or carry out minor capital works. I will consider in due course whether or not funding can be ring-fenced again in 2019.

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