Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to a statement by An Taoiseach in November 2021 (details supplied), if she will provide an update on the proposed actions arising from this work; her plans to have such actions implemented; and if she will provide an update of the first meeting of the strategic implementation group her Department is supplying to the secretariat. [17932/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department supports Local Development Companies (sometimes referred to as 'area partnerships') via SICAP, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration. SICAP actions are delivered by 46 local development companies nationwide.

It should be noted that the first meeting of the Strategic Implementation Group (4) of Reducing Harm and Supporting Recovery took place on the 25th of February. This group comprises sectoral, agency and Departmental officials. This introductory meeting was an information sharing exercise, identifying the members' areas of work and scoping relevant actions. These actions will be built upon and an implementation plan will be produced. A further three meetings are scheduled for later this year.

Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces fall under the remit of the Department of Health.