Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The original SICAP, which ran from 2015 to 2017, came to an end on 31 December, having helped more than 110,000 individuals and assisted more than 5,000 local community groups. In 2018, SICAP exceeded its target and assisted 2,558 community groups and 1,967 individuals, under goals 1 and 2, respectively, while the targets for 2019 are 2,273 community groups and 27,313 individuals, under goals 1 and 2, respectively. As the Deputy will be aware, I am very pleased with SICAP and would like there to be more funding for it because it targets disadvantaged children, families and young people between the age of 15 and 24, disadvantaged women and Roma groups, and emerging groups with needs such as Travellers, lone parents and low-income workers, and it is important that these people are given the opportunity. Many of them have been given the opportunity and on a one-to-one basis, many of them have been assisted by SICAP. Some of them have entered the marketplace, some have employed others, some have found jobs, while others have learned to read and write. We have given them an opportunity and I welcome every opportunity we give to people in disadvantaged areas. I am pleased with SICAP. Substantial funding has been provided and the programme is working well.

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