Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of community groups in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are in receipt of funding under the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme. [9232/23]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. The current programme began on 1 January 2018 and will run until the end of 2023. The programme provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees, with support from local authorities. It is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies across 51 Geographic areas (Lots). I was delighted to secure an increase of €1.3 million under Budget 2023, increasing the annual funding from €43 million to €44.3 million. A further €10 million is being provided under SICAP from Budget 2023 to allow Local Development Companies to continue to support arrivals from the Ukraine.

The programme has two goals centred around supporting communities and individuals to engage in issues affecting their lives and in the provision of support for lifelong learning and labour market opportunities.

From 2018 to date, a total of 137 groups have been supported under SICAP in Co. Cavan, of which 32 groups received financial support. In Co. Monaghan, a total of 104 groups have been supported under SICAP, of which 8 groups received financial support.