Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on his Department's efforts to fulfil the Programme for Government's commitments to launch an urban communities initiative to revitalise disadvantaged city areas; to consider suburban areas in Dublin as suitable for such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38159/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for a range of initiatives tackling deprivation and revitalising communities in both rural and urban areas. Key programmes include the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Empowering Communities Programme and providing funding for the Dublin North East Inner City initiative. My Department is making significant progress in revitalising communities through the ongoing work of these programmes and is well placed to play its part in the development of new initiatives for our urban communities, both in Dublin and elsewhere.

The commitment in the Programme for Government regarding an Urban Communities Initiative is included in the section on Rejuvenating our Capital City Centre, which also refers to the Dublin North East Inner City initiative.

My Department is continuing to examine ways in which this commitment could be delivered in the context of our role in community development in urban areas. As I indicated in my previous response in May of this year, I am very aware that many suburban areas beyond the city centre, in Dublin and other cities, would benefit from additional supports and I can assure the deputy that this will be fully considered.