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

I thank the Deputy for the question. The new iteration of the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, 2024-2028 has a renewed focus on building capacity in community representative structures, establishing new community groups and social enterprises, and empowering communities to lead out on identifying their own needs, through a new dedicated core area of work called community animation.

Delivered in both rural and urban areas, the supports are provided by community development workers based on needs that are identified at a local level. I have secured increases of €8.3 million for the programme over the last three years, with annual funding for 2024 now totalling €47.4 million. My Department also works closely with local community development committees, LCDCs, which are a key element of the local authorities’ strengthened role in local and community development. LCDCs are responsible for preparing the community elements of the six-year local economic and community plans, LECPs. Community consultation is a key aspect of the community elements of the LECPs, in both the development and implementation to ensure that the specific needs of communities are addressed.

My Department also provides supports to communities to develop their own responses to tackle the challenges they face under a number of funding streams, such as the public participation networks and measures such as the empowering communities programme and the community development programme.

The arrival of Ukrainians and international protection applicants has had a significant impact on demand for services in communities across Ireland, and SICAP workers have been to the forefront of local responses in this context. To assist in the community response, an additional €10 million in SICAP funding was announced in 2023 and again in 2024 to ensure SICAP programme implementers are resourced to continue their work to support new arrivals alongside core SICAP target groups. I am keenly aware of the ever-changing situation and the substantial pressures being placed on community resources and existing engagement workers as a result of these arrivals. My officials continue to engage extensively with SICAP programme implementers to respond to emerging needs.

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