Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
111. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to progress work on a strategy for suburban Dublin villages including schemes that are similar to those available for rural Dublin villages. [13721/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for a range of initiatives aimed at revitalising communities in both rural and urban areas.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches.
SICAP offers Local Development Companies the flexibility to target supports to particular groups and respond to emerging issues in their areas. These supports can be tailored locally to best meet the needs of disadvantaged areas and priority target groups on the ground. The programme encourages partnerships between individuals experiencing disadvantage, community organisations, and public sector agencies to address diverse community needs.
My Department also works closely with Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). Created under the Local Government Reform Act, 2014, the LCDCs bring together local authority members and officials, state agencies, people actively working within local development and community development and economic, cultural and environmental organisations with a view to implementing a joined-up, cross-sectoral approach to local and community development programming through the medium of a Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
The LECPs focus on measures which will enhance the quality of life and well-being of communities in both urban and rural settings and this is achieved through a coordinated approach to planning and service delivery. As part of the planning process for the current six-year iteration of LECPs, my Department organised a series of information webinars for LCDCs in order to equip them with the required knowledge and skills for the preparation of their LECPs. This also included a broad public consultation engagement with input from LCDCs, PPNs, Government Departments and Local Authorities.
In addition, my Department provides annual financial support, known as the Additional Staff Resource (ASR), to local authorities to support their community function, including the work of the LCDCs in overseeing the implementation of their LECPs and the co-ordination of local and community development in urban and rural areas.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government regarding an Urban Communities Initiative, included in the section on Rejuvenating our Capital City Centre, which also refers to the Dublin North East Inner City initiative. However, other suburban areas in Dublin and indeed beyond Dublin would also be suitable for such an initiative. My Department is currently examining ways in which this commitment could be delivered in the context of our role in community development in urban areas.
