Minister Joe O’Brien launches the Government’s Social Inclusion Programme Annual Report

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD was joined by Minister for Public Expenditure, NPD and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD yesterday (12th September) to launch the ‘Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Annual Report 2022’ at the LAB Gallery on Foley Street in Dublin City.

SICAP is co-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the European Social Fund.

It currently employs approximately 600 community workers across Ireland working to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

The SICAP 2022 Annual Report highlights the vital importance of the Programme in addressing inequality and improving outcomes for the most disadvantaged groups and individuals in the country.

In 2022, 2,760 Local Community Groups and 30,416 individuals were supported by the programme.

The report also acknowledges the role of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the Local Development Companies (LDCs), local community groups and volunteers who support the delivery of the Programme at County and local area level.

Launching the report, Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“SICAP is the State’s primary social inclusion tool and works to target poverty and disadvantage and support communities throughout Ireland. What that effectively means is that SICAP funds community workers on the ground to directly engage with those most marginalised in our society. Indeed the Dublin City Community Co-Op that is hosting us here today has 28 SICAP workers on its staff team working across North and South Inner City Dublin. I am very pleased to have Minister Donohoe join me today to launch the SICAP annual report and help raise awareness of the important work of the programme.”

“I know Minister Donohoe can see from the achievements outlined in the report that the Government’s continued investment in the SICAP programme is really helping provide much needed services for those most marginalised. Minister Donohoe, and Government as a whole, have continued to support SICAP and recognise the important role it plays in communities across Ireland. I look forward to continuing that support for the vital work of SICAP.”

Pobal’s Deputy CEO, Mr Jerry Murphy, said:

“The ‘SICAP Annual Report 2022’ shines a light on work with marginalised people and communities across Ireland. The report is an important piece of work and I very much welcome its launch today. Pobal is pleased to work with and on behalf of the Department, Local Community Development Committees, Local Development Companies and other stakeholders towards a common aim of reducing disadvantage, poverty and promoting greater social inclusion and equality by supporting communities and individuals across Ireland.”

The SICAP Annual Report 2022 is available here