Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Questions (2619)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

2619. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress on changing the allocation of social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, funding under the definition disadvantaged areas to one that more accurately addresses the permeability of inequality with disadvantaged households across geography and within communities to better assist local development companies in the distribution of funding and create better reflected targets. [32821/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 allocates funding to different areas based on the level of disadvantage in those areas.

The geographic distribution and allocation of resources for SICAP is based on two key considerations - historic funding patterns and the Pobal HP Deprivation Index. This method is known as the SICAP Resource Allocation Model.

The Pobal HP Deprivation Index measures the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various censuses. The index is a key resource to enable a targeted approach towards tackling disadvantage, by providing local analysis of the most disadvantaged areas throughout the state.

My Department is satisfied that the current application of the SICAP Resource Allocation Model is a fair and equitable approach to allocating available funds to each area.