The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is a key intervention for disadvantaged communities, the delivery of which is overseen and managed by the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in each Local Authority area. Whilst complying with the programme’s aims, objectives and requirements, Programme Implementers are expected to ensure that actions set out under SICAP reflect the priorities and needs identified in the relevant Local Authority's Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice and good practice internationally, and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP is subject to a public procurement process. The process is a competitive one that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations that could provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the Programme. A procurement process for the next SICAP Programme covering 2018-2022 is currently underway.
SICAP in County Galway is managed by Galway County LCDC, which is the SICAP contracting authority for the area. The Lot allocation for Galway - which covers the entire county - is €1,601,582 on an annual basis. My Department does not have access to the funding breakdown for the Lot area. However, I have asked my officials to arrange for the relevant information regarding the Connemara Electoral Area, to be requested from the LCDC, and the information will then be forwarded to the Deputy.