SICAP funding review
Eoin Ó Broin highlighted cuts to community and anti-poverty projects and asked what would be done to strengthen SICAP and related funding. The Taoiseach said the matter would be addressed in an overall review now starting in the relevant departments.
In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to strengthen the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, as well as to reactivate increased funding to rapid area projects throughout local authorities. My constituency, like many others, has seen projects funded through these streams - Traveller projects, youth projects, addiction projects and women's projects - have their funding cut in recent years by as much as 50%. Can the Taoiseach outline what measures will be undertaken by the Government to strengthen SICAP? Will the Government commit to a review of the flawed tendering process that community groups go through when applying for this funding?
