Many Government Departments have responsibilities in relation to tackling urban disadvantage, through capital projects and income supports. My own Department has several programmes in place to assist disadvantaged communities both urban and rural, and in the forthcoming discussions on Budget 2020 I will be seeking to ensure that we can continue to provide supports to communities who need it most.
While additional funding is always welcome, it is important to acknowledge the great work that is currently underway with resources provided by my Department. For example, in Dublin, the SICAP programme will provide €9.7m in 2019, giving vital support to those community groups and individuals most in need. In addition, under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) my Department allocated €675k to the Dublin area in 2019 so that community groups could avail of small capital grants to improve facilities in their areas.
The Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in each area manages the SICAP programme and administers the CEP at a local level to ensure the funding is targeted to address disadvantage. LCDCs play a key role in tackling issues in disadvantaged areas, bringing a more coordinated, whole-of-Government approach to local and community development. They are best placed to ensure that state funding is channelled to those areas and communities most in need.
My Department will continue to work with Local Authorities through the LCDCs to ensure that appropriate local plans are developed and available resources are targeted effectively to support the development of vibrant and sustainable communities.