Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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720. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department will outline the funding streams currently available to Ukrainian-led community organisations to support integration initiatives, including language classes, employment support and cultural exchange projects; and if consideration will be given to developing a ring-fenced fund for migrant-led organisations to strengthen community cohesion and integration at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49704/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Over the past number of years my department has been actively engaged in the humanitarian response to the arrival of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, as well as International Protection Applicants (IPAs), through services delivered by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). The programme is overseen at local level by Local Community Development Committees, and delivered by Local Development Companies across 53 contract areas.

SICAP has always provided supports for New Communities and in particular has worked with IPAs since the programme began. To facilitate those supports, my department has secured additional funding exclusively for delivery of New Arrivals supports under SICAP each year since 2022. In 2022, this additional allocation totalled €5m, with a further €10m in 2023, €11m in 2024 and €10m in 2025.

The programme provides a wide range of supports to individuals and community organisations, including capacity building, language and employment supports. In addition the programme provides small-scale grants to a maximum of €2,500 per annum to fund activities and organisational development. I would strongly encourage any community organisations seeking support to make contact with the SICAP programme implementer in their locality, a list of which is available on the Pobal website www.pobal.ie.

Beyond SICAP, my department also funds the Community Connection Project, which supports recruitment of up to 26 Community Link Workers through Local Development Companies, to work with local communities across Ireland in developing constructive, inclusive responses to migrant integration and work to foster cohesion and integration at local level. The project has an allocation of €3m, and will be implemented over an 18-month period, with a research report and best practice toolkit developed in that timeframe.