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Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, today (Monday 13 November) launched Fingal Inclusion Week 2023 and the Art Across Cultures Exhibition in Lusk Community Cultural Centre.
Fingal Inclusion Week sees over 80 events being held county-wide. This collaboration between Fingal County Council Community Development Office and Fingal Integration Team is a noteworthy initiative. By prioritising community development and integration, the council is setting a positive example for other regions to follow. It is through such joint efforts that we can create a cohesive society, where all residents can thrive and participate equally.
Launching Inclusion week, Minister O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to be here today to launch Inclusion Week 2023 and this Anti-racism Art exhibition. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the positive work that is being done by the community groups and agencies which helps reduce social inclusion and poverty. This initiative is a commendable project undertaken by Fingal County Council Community Development Office in collaboration with the Fingal Integration Team. This collaborative effort aims to foster a sense of community cohesion and bridge cultural divides within the Fingal area.”
Minister Joe O’Brien added:
“Community development is a crucial aspect of any society, as it helps to enhance social inclusion, strengthen relationships, and promote overall well-being. It is heartening to see the Fingal County Council taking an active role in promoting community development across Fingal. I am delighted that Fingal County Council is once again demonstrating a commitment to fostering a multicultural and inclusive society."
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality in Ireland through supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
SICAP is delivered by 46 Local Development Companies (LDC’s) across 51 areas (Lots). In addition to the €44.3 million secured for the SICAP budget, the department secured further funding of €10 million in 2023 to ensure Local Development Companies may continue their work to support arrivals from Ukraine. This is in addition to an allocation of €5 million in 2022.
Of the €10 million in additional funding, approximately €9 million has been initially allocated to the Local Development Companies. Funding has been allocated proportionally to the numbers of Ukrainians recorded in each area, based upon data provided by the Central Statistics Office. Each LDC (excepting those with no Ukrainians currently present in their respective Lot) received a minimum of €40,000, approximating the cost of employing one community worker to engage with new arrivals.
The remaining funding of €1 million is being withheld by the department to act as a contingency fund, to allow the department to respond flexibly to the evolving requirements of LDCs throughout the year. The department is in regular communication with LDCs as the year progresses, and remains ready to review and adjust allocations as required.
€10 million in funding has been secured in the budget for 2024 to ensure that Programme Implementers continue their work to support arrivals from the Ukraine and International Protection Applicants.
To date – the funding has supported 72 Local Community Groups, 6372 individuals, 326 events which 18,245 Ukrainians have engaged with and 188 children and family activities with 9,825 participants.
It is acknowledged that the numbers of Ukrainians supported may be under-represented due to the urgency and nature of the humanitarian response (basic humanitarian needs) especially in the initial months.
SICAP staff have engaged with Ukrainians through a range of initiatives, supports and interventions among them:
Amount of Ukrainians/IPAS applicants supported from the €10 million funding
| 2023 (as of 6/11/2023) | ||
| LCGs (KPI 1) | 72 | |
| Individuals (KPI 2) | 6,372 | |
| Non-Caseload Events Number of Attendees) | 326 (18,245) | |
| Children & Family Activities (Number of Participants) | 188 (9,825) |