Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted communities in rural and urban Ireland. Those that were already vulnerable, marginalised or facing higher levels of deprivation must continue to be supported to ensure that no community is left behind as we navigate our way through the pandemic and build towards an inclusive recovery.

The Department's programmes have been supporting vulnerable communities this year and will continue to assist in addressing gaps in meeting social needs, including those caused by higher levels of deprivation. Some key supports provided this year include the following. A €50 million support package for the community and voluntary sector, charities and social enterprises was launched by the Government and administered by the Department. This funding was made available from the Dormant Accounts Fund through the Covid-19 stability fund and the innovate together fund.

The Minister also recently launched a €1.7 million Covid-19 emergency fund, which groups can now apply for through their local authorities. This focused on groups participating in the Government's community call initiative.

The community enhancement programme was provided with €7 million in funding in 2020. This comprised of €2 million in June and a further €5 million in August under the Government's July stimulus package.

The social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, is Ireland's primary social inclusion intervention with an allocation of €39 million this year. SICAP funding allocations are made based on levels of relative affluence and deprivation in communities, ensuring the programme is targeting disadvantaged areas fairly and helps those individuals in greatest need of the support.

The community services programme, CSP, has provided funding of up to €4.75 million in 2020 to assist CSP-supported organisations most in need to retain their CSP-supported employees. The programme is also providing assistance to meet employer PRSI contributions during the crisis period and this has been extended until April 2021.

The overall 2020 community services programme allocation is €46.89 million.

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