Carol Nolan
Ceist:416. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the response of her Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 March 2022
Ceisteanna (416)
Freagraí scríofa
The response to the plight of the Ukrainian people must be an EU and global one and Ireland has its part to play on a cross departmental basis. We have already lifted Visa requirements to allow Ukrainian people who want to seek safety here to do so as quickly and easily as possible. The EU has imposed three packages of unprecedented sanctions against Russia; hitting the web of companies, financial institutions, state institutions and agencies, oligarchs, government members and media interests that surround President Putin.
Given the potential implications for a wide range of Departments, the Department of the Taoiseach has convened interdepartmental meetings to further assess the implications of the activation of a temporary protection measure. The Secretary General of my Department attends these meetings.
My Department continues to offer support to communities across the country through various programmes, and these will also assist the Ukrainian refugees as they arrive in Ireland to seek sanctuary. Included in the range of supports is SICAP, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. The current programme began on 1 January 2018 and will run until the end of 2022 with a budget of €190m over the 5 years. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through Programme Implementers, agencies and companies, who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in communities.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations, SSNO, in the community and voluntary sector is a key element of the Department's support for the role of the sector in contributing to the development of a strong and vibrant civil society and improving outcomes for those most disadvantaged. A large majority of the organisations under SSNO will work in areas of social inclusion.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports community based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. It offers financial support to assist with the cost of hiring staff to community companies and co-operatives.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland, with support of the House, will continue to work as part of the international community and in particular through the European Union and the United Nations, including as members of the Security Council, to bring maximum pressure to bear on Russia and to support the Ukrainian people.