Joe O'Brien - Green Party Joe O'Brien - Green Party

Minister Joe O’Brien secures significant increase for social inclusion programme in Budget 2022

12th October, 2021

Minister Joe O’Brien today (Tuesday 12th October) announced a significant increase in funding for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) as part of Budget 2022. The increase of €4 million secured by Minister O’Brien will facilitate the hiring of 60 additional social inclusion community workers across the country.

Welcoming the increased funding, Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“I am delighted to announce that I’ve secured Budget funding for almost 60 additional social inclusion community workers across the country.

“The increase of €4m to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme in Budget 2022 recognises the need for more feet on the ground to reach out to those most marginalised in our communities, and to build a socially inclusive recovery from COVID-19

“During COVID the Local Development Companies via SICAP really proved their effectiveness in responding to the local need on the ground, bringing community groups together and being accessible and adaptable to those most in need.

“These additional 60 workers will really strengthen the capacity of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme across the country to facilitate co-operation and synergies between State and NGOs providers working at the coal face.

“Ultimately this Budget increase will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Commenting on the announcement, Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) Social Inclusion Chairperson and CEO of Empower, who implement SICAP in Fingal, 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 COVID-19 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.”