“Since the start of this terrible war, our communities have played a central role in helping people arriving from Ukraine settle in to their new life in Ireland. The Community and Voluntary Sector, which my department has responsibility for, has not been found wanting in stepping up to the plate and assisting families arriving here. I am therefore very pleased today to have secured Cabinet approval to provide an additional €10.5 million to continue to support community efforts. Some €5 million in funding will be provided to the Local Development Companies through the SICAP Programme. Also confirmed was funding of €5 million to Community Foundation Ireland (CFI) who will be administering the “Ireland for Ukraine Fund. And finally, €500,000 will be used to support our volunteer centres, which have been dealing with a huge demand for services since the start of the war in Ukraine. I am confident that this additional funding will help ensure the integration of the people arriving from Ukraine, as well as assisting both rural and urban communities in continuing their work."