Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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274. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has plans to ensure that more funding can be targeted at areas experiencing very high levels of deprivation. [14364/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need. It targets and supports those who are disadvantaged in Irish society and less likely to use mainstream services.

SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted, innovative and locally led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals across Ireland, including unemployed people, people living in disadvantaged areas, people with a disability, members of the Traveller and Roma community, and other disadvantaged groups.

SICAP funding allocations to areas are informed by the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, which measures the relative affluence or disadvantage of areas within the State. This ensures that the programme effectively targets disadvantage fairly.

In 2024 alone, SICAP supported over 3,100 community organisations and 32,490 individuals. The funding for SICAP has increased by €9.8 million over the last 4 years, with annual funding for 2025 now totaling €48.9m.

The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP), also funded by my Department, focusses on small areas of significant disadvantage. The areas selected for funding under the ECP are ones that are experiencing significant disadvantage identified using the Pobal HP deprivation index. The programme, with the support of the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Local Development Company (LDC), aims to enhance community access to key services and empower local communities to develop their own response to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences.

The ECP commenced in 2022, initially providing funding for 14 projects. At present, there are 17 projects supported under the programme, with annual funding of €2.3 million.

Under Budget 2025, additional funding of €1 million has been secured for the ECP with a view to further expanding the programme. Consideration is currently being given to how this additional funding can be utilised to maximum effect for communities that are experiencing significant disadvantage.