Written answers
Thursday, 22 May 2025
Department of Rural and Community Development
Community Development Projects
Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which his Department is supporting inclusive community development in County Mayo, including initiatives targeted at older people and people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26278/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is our country’s primary social inclusion programme, aiming to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion & equality in Ireland through supporting communities & individuals using community development approaches, engagement & collaboration.
SICAP supports in Mayo are allocated across three geographical areas - Mayo Islands, Ballina & West Mayo and Castlebar & Claremorris. SICAP supports are provided to individuals and community organisations belonging to a SICAP target group. Disabled People/People with Disabilities are one of SICAP’s 12 target groups. Older people (aged 65+ Years) in isolation is a named thematic area of SICAP.
Examples of SICAP supports provided to older people in Mayo in 2024:
- Balla Age Active group - supported to develop a programme of activities and supports. These included a men’s shed event, a health and wellness course and collaboration with Local Link to discuss solutions for transport restraints in the community.
- Mayo Islands - SICAP workers engaged with islanders to encourage uptake in community activities such as the community polytunnel, creators networking events, pottery workshops, new community events and climate information sessions.
- Erris - Provision of a number of ‘Getting on Line’ workshops throughout communities in Erris targeting older people with the aim of supporting them to access relevant information on services available to them.
- SICAP supported a number of events for children with disabilities and their parents including Sensory Santa, Pony Therapy and Sensory Discos for 7–17-year-olds.
- SICAP held a conference for parents of children with a disability in the Erris and Achill areas with a counsellor/psychotherapist who specialises in managing anxiety for young people who have a neurodivergent identity.
| - | Older People | % Mayo SICAP Caseload | Disabled People/People with Disabilities | % Mayo SICAP Caseload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. Individuals | 101 | 10% | 88 | 8% |
| No. Community Organisations* | 20 | 22% | 16 | 18% |
The LEADER programme has been at the heart of rural development in Ireland for over three decades, supporting community-led development, and contributing to the growth and vitality of rural communities.
Funding under the LEADER programme is focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the themes of a) Economic Development and Job Creation, b) Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, and c) Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
The Accessible Services sub-theme under Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion focuses on improving access to basic services for people living in rural and remote areas and groups who are at risk of social exclusion. Further information about supports available under LEADER, the Local Action Groups who administer the programme, and how to apply for funding is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/LEADER.
My Department also supports the Seniors Alert Scheme , which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
Pobal has administered the scheme on behalf of my Department since 2015. 5,424 participants have been approved for the scheme in Mayo since 2015.
The Community Services Programme overseen by my Department has supported 12 organisations in Mayo whose focus is on supporting older people or people with disabilities.
Collectively these organisations are supported for 12 managers and 62 FTE’s with a total CSP allocation of €2,000,580 in 2025.
Examples of some of the supports provided:
- Ballyheane - Active Retired weekly meetings and activities,
- Clár ICH in Claremorris is also a franchise of Age Action and delivers the Care and Repair Programme in Claremorris. This involves undertaking minor repairs in the homes of the elderly and a befriending telephone service to individuals referred from the HSE.
- Cong Community Centre has a Young at Heart/Active retirement group who meet weekly organising activities for it’s members.
- Custom House Studios runs Workshops for those with disabilities in Westport.
- Moy Innovations in Ballina manufacture/wholesale silk flower arrangements and wreaths, which are made by people with a disability and sold and delivered across the country to customers.
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