Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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115. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there has been an increase in funding for SICAP in Budget 2026 compared to the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55406/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme, which aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need.

SICAP funding is subject to the annual budgetary Estimates process. There has been a positive trend of year-on-year increases in SICAP funding in recent years, with 2022 seeing the largest increase in funding at 10%, or €4m. I am delighted to have secured an additional €1.5m in Budget 2026, in line with the increase in 2025, which brings the increase in funding to SICAP since 2022 to €11.3m. As a result the annual funding for SICAP for 2026 will be in excess of €50m.

Separate to this increase in SICAP core funding, additional funding of €36m has also been distributed through SICAP to support Ukrainian Nationals displaced by war since 2022. As in 2025, a further €10m has also been committed in 2026 which includes supports to all New Arrivals and International Protection Applicants.

I am keenly aware that challenges remain for communities across Ireland, and in that context, I am committed to progressively increasing funding for SICAP, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.

SICAP allocations from 2021 to 2026 are set out in the following table: