Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
391. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total annual allocation to the social inclusion and community activation programme for each of the past five years; and if he will comment on any trends in funding levels over that period. [21888/25]
View answerThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme, which aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need.
SICAP funding is subject to the annual budgetary Estimates process. There has been a positive trend of year-on-year increases in SICAP funding in recent years, with 2022 seeing the largest increase in funding at 10%, or €4m. In 2023 there was a further increase of €1.3m, in 2024 an increase of €3m and in 2025 a further increase of €1.5m. This represents a total increase of €9.8m for the programme over the past five years, bringing the annual funding to €48.9m in 2025.
Separate to this increase in SICAP core funding, additional funding of €26m has also been distributed through SICAP to support Ukrainian Nationals displaced by war since 2022. €10m has also been committed in 2025 which includes supports to all New Arrivals and International Protection Applicants.
I am keenly aware that challenges remain for communities across Ireland, and in that context I want to express my commitment to progressively increasing funding for SICAP, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
SICAP allocations from 2021 to 2025 are set out in the following table:
|
SICAP Funding Allocations 2021 - 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
SICAP |
€39,168,430 |
€43,168,427 |
€44,463,482 |
€47,463,482 |
€48,963,482 |
|
New Arrivals |
€0 |
€5m |
€10m |
€11m |
€10m |
|
Total |
€39,168,430 |
€48,168,427 |
€54,463,482 |
€58,463,482 |
€58,963,482 |
