Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to increase SICAP funding for areas of disadvantage in Dublin. [34156/20]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the proposed budget for the social inclusion community activation programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34093/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 345 together.

Under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) my Department provides funding to Local Development Companies as they work locally to tackle poverty and social exclusion.

The SICAP funding allocation across Ireland for 2021 is likely to be the same as 2020, the revised estimates will provide final confirmation of this amount. The 2020 allocation was €39m, a 3% increase relative to 2019.

Of this, it is expected that some €9.9 million will be provided to the Dublin area in 2021, consistent with the amount provided in 2020. The funding is allocated to each area using a methodology that takes account of levels of deprivation, helping to ensure that vital supports are provided to those individuals and communities most in need.

I recognise the vital work the programme does in helping so many individuals by improving the life chances of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or unemployed, and I will continue to prioritise funding for SICAP within my Department’s overall voted expenditure.