Ministers McGrath & O’Brien Launch Government’s Social Inclusion Programme Annual Report
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, joined Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, on Tuesday 12 July to launch the ‘Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Annual Report 2021’ at the Mansion House in Dublin.
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 Programme was recently awarded the prestigious UN Award for Public Service during COVID-19.
A ‘Learning Brief’ which examines the different experiences of men and women who have been supported by the programme was also launched today.
The SICAP 2021 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 2021, 2,646 Local Community Groups and 26,483 individuals were supported by the programme.
The report also acknowledges the role of the Local Development Companies (LDCs) and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) who deliver the Programme at County and local area level.
The SICAP 2021 Annual Report can be downloaded here: https://www.pobal.ie/app/uploads/2022/07/SICAP-2021-Annual-Report.pdf
The ‘Learn Brief’ can be downloaded here: https://www.pobal.ie/app/uploads/2022/07/A-Comparison-of-Women-and-Men-Supported-by-SICAP-A-Learning-Brief-by-Pobal.pdf