Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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754. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the supports her Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported, where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8873/23]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Since the start of this crisis, flexibility has been offered by my Department for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) so that its some 600 community development workers across Ireland can contribute locally in responding to the needs of the people from Ukraine to help them settle in and engage with local communities.

In 2022, DRCD allocated €10.5 million for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine. €5m of this funding was allocated to SICAP towards the on-the-ground response and services for arrivals. Another €5m was allocated for the "Ireland for Ukraine Fund" administered by Community Foundation Ireland. In addition, funding of €0.5m was provided for volunteer centres to deal with increased activity and demands on those centres and their volunteers. I was delighted to secure additional funding of €10m for SICAP in Budget 2023 to deal specifically with new arrivals from Ukraine and €1m for the volunteering element of the Ukraine response in 2023.

In addition, my Department is providing €50 million funding under the Community Recognition Fundwhich aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The following table outlines Ukrainian Supports under SICAP up to 16 February 2023.

Data is subject to change as the 2022 End of Year data is being finalised.