Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
579. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the Ballymun a Brighter Future Report (details supplied) published in March 2021; and if she will meet stakeholders involved in the report. [17151/21]
View answer580. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her progress to date on the commitment on page 85 of the Programme for Government to Expand the Dublin North East Inner City Model to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage; and if the Ballymun - A Brighter Future report can be included in this model. [18419/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.
Ballymun is one of the many areas across Ireland that could benefit from a community development approach, and it is important that reports such as 'A Brighter Future' referenced by the Deputy feed into policy and decision making at Government and local level. I would be happy to meet with the stakeholders involved to hear directly from them about the challenges faced in the Ballymun area.
The Deputy references the Dublin North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative, where my Department is providing €6.5m towards the regeneration of the area in 2021, to help ensure that the recommendations of the Mulvey Report and the actions contained in the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 - 2022 are implemented.
The Dublin North East Inner City area and the Ballymun area also receive other supports from my Department, consistent with what is provided across the country. For example, my Department also funds SICAP, a five year €190m national programme, delivered locally, to help those in the greatest need. SICAP will provide some €9.9m to the Dublin area in 2021 giving vital support to those community groups and individuals most in need.
In addition, under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) my Department is providing €4.5m in 2021 so that community groups can avail of small grants, with approximately €675,000 allocated to the Dublin area.
For both SICAP and the CEP, the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in each area manages the programme at a local level to ensure the funding is used 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. The LCDC structure provides a useful mechanism to ensure that local knowledge is used to target funding to where it is needed most in a particular area. They are best placed to ensure that state funding is channelled to those areas and communities most in need.
I am conscious of the Programme for Government commitment to expand the Dublin North East Inner City Model and my officials are currently working to consider how this can best be achieved, while considering the important role that LCDCs can play in this regard.
