Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to address the socioeconomic needs of disadvantaged urban communities nationally in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44125/19]
View answerMy Department's mission is to support viable, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. The Department's Community Development programmes play a key role in tackling social exclusion and addressing deprivation in all communities, both urban and rural.
The Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has a funding allocation nationally of €38m in 2019 and will provide €190m over the lifetime of the Programme.
SICAP supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.
There is also €4.5m in funding for the Community Enhancement Programme in 2019, providing funding towards grants for Community Groups across Ireland. The allocation of funding is weighted towards those communities in most need. It is hoped to continue this programme into 2020.
I have also provided ring-fenced supports for particular areas of urban deprivation including, for example, €6.5m for initiatives in Dublin's North East Inner City in 2019.
All of these measures play a role in addressing the socioeconomic needs of disadvantaged urban communities nationally.
