Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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2162. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme funding can be used in support of the payment of salaries and rents by local community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57733/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which is administered and funded by my Department, is Ireland’s foremost social inclusion intervention. SICAP is a national programme that is delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) into every community in Ireland, using community development approaches to help those in the greatest need.

SICAP also supports collective community engagement and the development of more sustainable, stronger communities. This is done through providing direct supports to local communities and developing the capacity of Local Community Groups (LCGs), to ensure that they can better engage with other groups, actively improve the lives of people in their communities, and start to address the social exclusion issues that affect them.

Grants of up to €2,500 can be given to LCGs and Networks under Goal 1, provided the purpose of the grant is in line with programme objectives, and can be used to fund development of governance structures, strategic plan development and capacity building for LCGs, and activities with a clear link to SICAP target groups and outcomes. However, as per the Programme Requirements (available on www.pobal.ie) grants cannot be used for on-going running costs incurred by LCGs/Networks, including staff costs, rent, insurance, electricity, phone costs and office maintenance.

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.