Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) who represent Local Development Companies that provide the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) have welcomed the 10% increase in funding delivered in Budget 2022. The ILDN Pre-Budget submission called for increased investment in the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme which would take a significant step towards the restoration of the SICAP Budget to 2008 levels.
ILDN Social Inclusion Chairperson, Adeline O’Brien said; “we welcome this very positive step towards restoring the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme budget. It is an acknowledgement of the crucial role of SICAP in tackling social exclusion, especially the manifestations laid bare by the COVID19 pandemic, including digital, educational and health related aspects. Our efforts Pre-Budget have focused on poverty, homelessness, social exclusion, isolation, and marginalisation and the negative impact on the wellbeing of individuals and the communities they live in and belong to. Today’s increase in the SICAP Budget will further equip ILDN members to meet all of these challenges in their communities.”
Also welcoming the increased allocation, ILDN CEO Joe Saunders said; “Minister Joe O’Brien has taken a strong interest in SICAP and, supported by Minister Humphreys, deserves great credit for securing additional government for social inclusion services. SICAP is the Government’s flagship anti-poverty programme and today’s increase in its Budget certainly sends a signal to our colleagues working in communities tackling social exclusion of all manifestations that their efforts are valued and supported.”
Minister for Community Development & Charities Joe O’Brien TD has confirmed that the increased funding will provide for 60 new SICAP workers to work with disadvantaged & marginalised communities nationwide to tackle social exclusion and poverty as committed to in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion.
