Wednesday, 14^th December 2022

• Largest ever investment under Town and Village Renewal Scheme
• Former Banks, Ballrooms, Courthouses, Convents, Cinemas, Garda Stations and FCA Halls to be regenerated for community use
• Public Plazas, Town Parks, Playgrounds, Community Gardens and Dog Parks to be developed
• Local Shops and Businesses in 26 towns to have their shopfronts and building facades enhanced under Streetscapes Enhancement Initiative

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (14^th December 2022) announced over €27 million in funding that will combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages.

The announcement represents the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and will see a range of landmark projects delivered across Rural Ireland.

The major package announced by Minister Humphreys today comprises 4 Strands:

• €17 million investment in 75 Town and Village Projects nationwide;
• €6 million in funding to purchase and re-develop vacant and derelict buildings and convert them into community facilities;
• €2.6 million to upgrade the shopfronts and building facades in 26 towns under the Streetscape Enhancement Measure;
• €1.56 million for planning and design works on a range of projects that are at an early stage of development.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys:

“I am delighted to announce a record €27 million in funding under my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

“This is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages.

“It’s about taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life.

“And it’s about rejuvenating the centre of our towns by developing public plazas, town parks, community gardens and sports facilities for the benefit of local families.

“This investment today will breathe new life into rural towns and villages across every single county.

“It’s the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and demonstrates my passion and ambition for our rural communities.”

Among the 75 projects that received €17 million in funding under the standard Town and Village Renewal Scheme are:

• Robertstown, Co. Kildare: The development of a recreational facility which will include an eco-park, green playground, integrated green skate park, car park, dog park, playing pitches and an outdoor Amphitheatre at the centre – €500,000.
• Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim: To create a significant vibrant Town Centre community venue “The Market Yard” to host community and charity events including festivals, fun days as well as creating a Town Centre Tourist Kiosk and Café – €435,013.
• Causeway, Co. Kerry: Refurbishment of the former Shannon Ballroom (currently derelict) creating a facility within Causeway, which provides a focal point for the community that will be used as a meeting space and co-working hub – €250,000.
• Longford Town, Co. Longford: The development of a ‘Skate and Recreational Park’ within Longford Town along proposed future town cycleway and within immediate vicinity to the existing Royal Canal Greenway – €405,000.
• Duncannon, Co. Wexford: To restore and develop the historic Duncannon Fort – €500,000.
• Herbertstown, Co. Limerick: To renovate and re-purpose the former co-op building to develop it as a multi-use community space (indoor and outdoor). The investment will deliver a Community café, Men’s Shed, remote working hub, enterprise hub and community garden – €495,229.
• Arigna, Co. Roscommon: A three phase development to include a public sports park, a pedestrian plaza and ancillary works to put the heart back into this historical village of Arigna – €499,950.
• Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow: Public realm improvements scheme for the enhancement of the River Barrow. This includes a coffee dock, bench seating, covered canopy, green trellis overhangs, planter climber walls and decorative paving​- €500,000.
• Stepaside, Co. Dublin: The project proposes to enhance the public realm and streetscapes of Stepaside village, including the provision of a central green space – €225,000.
• Convoy, Co. Donegal: ​The development of the ‘Railway Park’ along the former and now disused railway line in Convoy providing a much needed inclusive green space and recreational amenity in the centre of the village – €435,204.
• Moate, Co. Westmeath: Bringing the old Fire Station in the town centre, which has laid vacant for many years, back into use as a multi-purpose space for community use by the Moate Action Group – €112,500.
• Ballina, Co. Tipperary: Provision of an access promenade and viewing area across the river Shannon, to drive tourist and local footfall activity – €360,000.

Building Acquisition Measure (BAM)

Minister Humphreys also today announced 29 projects that will benefit from funding under the Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Under the initiative, local authorities were asked by the department to engage with the local community to identify suitable vacant or derelict properties that could be taken into public ownership and converted for community use.

Among the 29 projects to be funded under the €6 million Building Acquisition Measure are:

• Rathkeale, Co. Limerick: Convert the former Bank of Ireland Building into an e-Hub and multi-purpose community facility.
• Mitchelstown, Co. Cork: Convert of the FCA Hall on the grounds of the old Military Barracks into a multi-purpose sports and community venue.
• Moyvane, Co. Kerry: Convert a former garda station into a multi-purpose hub.
• Kilrush, Co, Clare: Purchase the former Mars Cinema and Ballroom and convert it into an educational training facility.
• Monasterevin, Co. Kildare: Convert a former Bank of Ireland building for use as a co-working enterprise hub.
• New Ross, Co. Wexford: Convert the former courthouse as a multi-use community building.
• Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary: Purchase of a garden centre for tourism accommodation, together with cultural, recreational, commercial and retail uses.
• Monaghan Town, Co. Monaghan: Purchase of the Convent School building for use as a social enterprise hub.

Minister Humphreys continued:

“We are all familiar with that old building in the community that has acted as an eyesore for far too long.

“This particular initiative, the Building Acquisition Measure, is about providing our local authorities with the necessary resources to tackle the scourge of vacancy and dereliction.

“This funding will see former garda stations, convents, old cinemas and banks taken into public ownership and converted for the good of the local community.

“This scheme goes to the heart of our rural development policy ‘Our Rural Future’ – breathing new life into towns and villages and making them better places to live, work and raise a family.”

Streetscape Enhancement Initiative

Minister Humphreys has also today given the green light for works to take place in 26 towns under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative.

This scheme will see funding of up to €100,000 provided to one town per local authority.

Under the initiative, retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

The Towns being supported under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative are:

Project Development Measure

Minister Humphreys also announced a further €1.56 million to fund 33 projects that are pre-development stage. This funding will support feasibility, planning and design works.

Examples of these projects include:

• Ballyroan, Co. Laois: Feasibility study to determine the potential future uses of the vacant/derelict former old boys school in Ballyroan village – €50,000.
• Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim: Feasibility study and preliminary design and planning for the courthouse building in Manorhamilton, with a view to bringing back into use as a community facility – €50,000.
• Moneygall, Co. Offaly: Architect led design team to deliver a detailed design proposal and planning permission for refurbishment of a derelict property into a multi-purpose community space/hub – €50,000.
• Strandhill, Co. Sligo: Design team to develop masterplan for Dolly’s Cottage, a tourist attraction, including site survey, conservation architect, structural engineer, planning design – €49,999.50.
• Tramore, Co. Waterford: Feasibility study for the development plan of a multi-cultural centre, including review of properties and potential locations for the centre, funding model to acquire the building, and scope initial development works required – €49,500.
• Carnew, Co Wicklow: To do design, cost and planning for the refurbishment of the old Bank of Ireland building (BAM purchase) to become a remote working hub – €49,999.50.

The Minister concluded:

“Today I am giving the green light for works to commence in the 26 towns selected under the Streetscapes Enhancement Initiative.

“From Bagenalstown to Ballinlough, this initiative will provide retailers and property owners with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

“This is a new initiative that I introduced as part of Our Rural Future. The response has been hugely positive to date and I look forward to seeing works commence in these 26 towns.

“Finally I am delighted to sanction €1.56 million for pre-development work on 33 projects to help with the costs of developing these applications so that they are shovel ready for future funding calls.”

A full list of the projects supported under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is available here

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Thursday 8th December 2022

• Largest ever capital investment in Community Centres

• Grants of up to €300,000 provided

• Extensions to Existing Centres, Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Improved Access for People with Disabilities amongst works supported

• Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resource Centres & Sports Complexes across country set to benefit

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, along with the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD, have today announced funding of over €33 million for the upgrade and development of 278 Community Centres nationwide.

The announcement under the new Community Centre Investment Fund represents the largest ever capital investment in upgrading Community Centres and will see grants of between €25,000 to €300,000 provided to successful projects.

The funding will be used to upgrade, renovate and refurbish Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes across the country.

Communities in every single county in Ireland will benefit as part of the investment.

Examples of some of the types of work being supported include:

• Extensions to existing community centres
• The provision of meeting rooms, offices, counselling rooms and family rooms
• Energy Retrofitting/upgrades to Heating Systems
• Works to develop community centres as social hubs through the development of community cinemas, youth hubs and community libraries
• Works to upgrade kitchen facilities to enhance the delivery of Meals on Wheels
• Upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
• Fire Safety Upgrades
• Essentials maintenance works, repairs to roof, re-wiring,etc
• Works to upgrade toilet facilities
• Works to improve disability access
• Replacement of windows and doors
• Installation of electric vehicle charging points

Minister Humphreys and the Tánaiste made the announcement at Hartstown Sports and Leisure Centre in Dublin 15 today.

This community facility was approved funding of €300,000 for a major upgrade.

Speaking in Hartstown today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said:

“This Government and the last showed time and again that we’re committed to community development. 

“I’m delighted to see this ground-breaking investment in community centres. It will bring real improvements to the heart of communities across Ireland.

“In time, I think it will become as significant as the Sport Capital Programme which has brought local sporting facilities up a level that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. 

“The benefits will be felt in Community Centres, Parish and Scouts Halls, Clubhouses, Men’s Sheds and Youth Facilities.

“Every county in Ireland will receive funding, for projects like new meeting rooms, refurbished and warmer buildings, new social hubs, and improved disability access.”

Announcing the overall investment, Minister Humphreys said:

“The local community centre is at the heart of our towns, villages and parishes right across the country.

“Our Community Centres come in many different shapes and sizes and provide a wide and diverse range of services and activities.

“The Community Centre is where the children go to play sport; it’s where meals are provided for our senior citizens; it’s where the local dramatic society perform; it’s where the ICA, our Men’s Sheds, Youth Clubs and other local organisation come together for their meetings and events.

“Most importantly in the month of December – the Community Centre is often the place that Santa will come to visit to meet the local children!

“It was a priority for me as Minister for Rural and Community Development to put this new funding stream in place and I am delighted to announce the successful projects today.”

Some of the successful applicants announced today include;

• Co. Offaly: Killeigh Community Centre – €300,000

• The delivery of a 200 metre recreation hall that will hold up to 300 people and operate as a social hub. The project will also see the provision of a canteen, toilets and a meeting room that will be used for public information sessions.

• Co. Tipperary: Burncourt Community Hall – €209,832.20

• The ‘Burncourt Community Hall Regeneration’ project will see the delivery of a new outdoor recreation, meeting and entertainment space, which will provide for large outdoor gatherings for people of all age groups.

• Co Carlow:  St Catherine’s Community Services Centre – €300,000

• This Centre in Carlow provides a range of services to families, older people and vulnerable groups. The funding will be used to extend the facility to provide for a new family room and consultation rooms.

• Co. Limerick: Murroe Wood Park sports facility – €206,290.71

• Provision of a community café, community gym, remote working space, changing facilities and purchase of gym equipment.

• . Clare: Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Centre – €300,000

• This funding will be used to renovate and repair the main hall, toilets and changing facilities, as well the installation of solar panels and LED lighting.

• Co. Cork: My Place Community Centre, Midleton – €300,000

• A first-floor extension that will provide two multi-purpose large rooms, another counselling room, toilets and a small coffee-break room.

• Co. Donegal: Bundoran Community Centre – €281,653.08

• A significant expansion of this facility that will deliver a large activity space that will facilitate up to 80 members of a youth group, 2 counselling rooms, a sensory room, office space and a disabled toilet.

• Co. Dublin: Hartstown Sports and Leisure Centre – €300,000

• Referred to as the ‘Hartstown Community Centre Revival’.  The project involves; rewiring of the building, installation of disabled toilets, repair of stage and fire door replacements.

• Co. Galway: Kinvara Community Centre – €286,803.29

• Major energy refit of the community centre, to include floor and wall insulation, an air to water heat pump, as well as new fire doors, energy lighting and solar panels

• Co. Cavan: Castlerahan Community Centre – €300,000

• A major expansion of this community facility to include remote working facilities, meeting rooms and multi-function rooms for concerts and shows.

• Co. Kilkenny: Urlingford Town Team – €300,000

• Major refurbishment of the large former dance hall in Urlingford, including the replacement of the asbestos roof and externally insulating the reinforced concrete walls.

• Co. Longford: Drumlish Community Association – €259,909

• To create three state of the art fully accessible activity/meeting rooms for a variety of activities

• Co. Waterford: Carbally Community Development – €300,000

• To upgrade the downstairs space into a new activity hall as well as the provision of disability access.

• Co. Wexford: Ferns Diocesan Youth Service – €82,190

• Upgrade of centre to provide a social hub for young people

The full list of successful projects being announced today is available here.

The new Community Centre Investment Fund forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support the community and voluntary sector, and to empower thriving, sustainable communities across Ireland.

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Notes to editors:

Funding will be available under 3 Categories, with grants up to €300,000 available:

• Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities up to €25,000

• Category 2: Larger scale projects €25,001 to €100,000
• Category 3: Major projects €100,001 to €300,000

Funding is available for capital works such as: –

• works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
• energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems
• upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
• works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits
• works to improve disability access
• improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as meals for the elderly and youth facilities
• works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries
• essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, and so on

The fund closed to applications on the 14th of July. Details of successful Category 1 projects were announce on the 12^th October by Minister Humphrey’s and details of successful projects can be found here.

Our Rural Future

Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.

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• Ireland’s first ever National Outdoor Recreation Strategy
• Over 2.7m visitors take part in outdoor activities
• Strategy will deliver major economic and health benefits
• €14 million announced to develop adventure tourism projects
• Focus on Hiking, Cycling, Wild Swimming, Kayaking & more
• National Walks Scheme to be expanded to 150 trails
• Minister says: “I want to make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor adventures!”

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today launched Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors – an ambitious and transformational National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

The five year strategy was launched in Castlecomer Discovery Park in Co. Kilkenny where the Ardra Loop Walk and Arboretum Walk was also officially opened by the Minister.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors was developed in partnership with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government strategy that reflects the views of stakeholders and the public. The new strategy will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come bringing huge economic and health benefits to communities across the country.

Launching Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, Minister Humphreys said:

“The pandemic awakened a new discovery to explore amongst the Irish public. When we were confined to our counties or we could only meet friends and family outdoors, we gained a new found appreciation for the unique amenities we have on our doorstep whether it’s our forest parks, our mountain trails, our rivers, our greenways or our stunning beaches.

“Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is about building on this momentum. It is about the strategic development of Ireland’s Outdoor Recreation sector so we can deliver maximum benefits to communities across the country. 

“Those benefits are huge. Spending time outdoors supports our mental and physical health and it improves our quality of life. There also huge economic benefits, particularly for rural communities, with over 2.7m overseas visitors taking part in outdoor activities every year in Ireland.   Through this Strategy – I believe we can make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors focuses on bringing a more joined-up and cohesive approach to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure at both a national and county level. As part of the strategy new Outdoor Recreation Committees will be established in every County to ensure there is a focused and strategic approach to the development of local amenities.

Building on this ground-up, locally led approach, the Minister is today announcing €14m for the development of 59 outdoor recreation amenities and to support outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, and cycling.

Among the projects being funded today include:

• Clare: Cliffs of Moher North Coastal Walk – Repair and upgrade of a looped section of the Cliffs of Moher North Coastal Walk – €500,000
• Wexford: Kilmore Quay Recreation Trail – Develop cycle path along the canal, completing a looped walking trail plus footbridge and carpark – €500,000
• Longford: North Longford Rebel Trail – North Longford Rebel Trail Phase 2 – Monaduff to Ballinamuck – €500,000
• Wicklow: Roundwood Recreation Area –  Provision of a bike hub,  bridge, signage, waymarking and promotion of Roundwood Recreation Area – €495,000
• Donegal: Carrigart to Downings Walkway  –  Develop a section of walkway between Carrigart and Downings  – €500,000
• Waterford: Cappoquin Railway Bridge Loop Walk- Phase 1 – Develop Cappoquin Railway Bridge Loop Walk between Millwheel Park and Rowing Club Grounds – €500,000

• Laois: River Erkina Community Blueway – The development of a floating pontoon and access at Castle Durrow Demesne, a foot bridge on the River Goul at its confluence with the River Erkina, carpark and access at the Woodenbridge and access steps at Boston Bridge – €191,728
• Tipperary: Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Blueway – Upgrading of 20km Suir Blueway Tipperary between Clonmel & Carrick-on-Suir – €450,000
• Roscommon: Lough Key, Doon Shore and Boyle Canal/River – Installation of accessible for all kayak/canoe easy launch systems in Lough Key, Doon Shore and Boyle Canal/River – €199,800
• Galway: Creggs Mountain Walk     Develop Creggs Mountain Walk – an element of  Beara-Breifne Way & Suck Valley Way  – €200,000

The full list of projects being funded today is available here.

Concluding Minister Humphreys thanked stakeholders and the public for their engagement in developing the Strategy:

“Significant stakeholder and public engagement has been at the core of the development of this Strategy. I would like to thank the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe for their tireless work in developing the Strategy. Thanks to the high level of stakeholder and public engagement Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is a truly collaborative Strategy that will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors – National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 is available here.

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Editor’s Notes:

Our Rural Future

Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.

Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council).  

Comhairle na Tuaithe is collaborative body which supports the development of outdoor recreation activities. It is comprised of representatives of farming organisations, recreational users and State bodies with a responsibility for, or interest in, outdoor recreation and the countryside. Its mandate is to act as a forum for consultation and collaboration between stakeholders and to advise the Minister on matters relating outdoor recreation.

National Outdoor Recreation Strategy

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors – National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe.

Definition of outdoor recreation

Physical activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, show-jumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers) with the exception of motorised mobility aids.

Overview

Examples of some of the key actions which will be delivered through Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors include:

• The Department of Rural and Community Development to take a lead role ensuring a more strategic approach to outdoor recreation at a national level.
• Sport Ireland to assume a co-leadership role, with the Department of Rural and Community Development, with a particular focus on guidance and technical experience. 
• Establish county structures including County Outdoor Recreation Committees and County Stakeholder Forums which will bring all the key stakeholders together.
• Develop County Outdoor Recreation Plans identifying the amenities that are in the County and also the gaps. Agree the key priorities for the county to create a more strategic approach and ensure value for money.
• Ensure greater emphasis on the management and maintenance of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.
• Continue to provide support to outdoor recreation businesses/enterprises through the Local Enterprise Offices, Local Development Companies and other channels.
• Communicate updated information to landowners and recreational users on access and liability so that there is greater clarity and awareness.
• Further expand the Walks Scheme.
• Review approaches and models for physical access used in other countries, based on principles of respect for land ownership and responsible conduct. 
• Explore cross-border cooperation on key initiatives.
• Develop new visitor management approaches for Ireland’s most crowded outdoor recreation sites. 
• Develop a communications campaign on responsible behaviour in the outdoors.
• Increase the number of programmes and participants engaged in outdoor recreation, particularly from under-represented groups.
• Establish methods to measure and review the engagement in, and the benefits of, outdoor recreation. 

Vision

Ireland’s outdoors, a world of activities for all

Mission

To lead, guide and facilitate the sustainable development and management of outdoor recreation and increased participation, in order to realise social, health and economic benefits. We will do this whilst respecting the custodians of land and water, caring for the environment and promoting responsible recreation.

Outcomes

The strategic objectives of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors are:

• To create a more coordinated, cohesive approach at national and county level to ensure best use of our resources.
• To protect the environment through better planning and development of outdoor recreation, in keeping with best practice management of landscape and habitats.
• To create awareness of our outdoor opportunities and how to enjoy them responsibly.
• To increase and support the number of people active in the outdoors, especially young people and under-represented groups.
• To protect and improve access to the outdoors, for the benefit of all.
• To improve the knowledge, skills and expertise of stakeholders and partners

Investment

€1.6 billion has been invested over the last four years to support the enhancement of natural spaces and the development of recreational amenities such as walking trails, blueways and greenways. This figure also includes funding provided through the Department of Transport’s Greenway funding and its Active Travel Investment Programme funding which supports the development of high-quality new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure. The Active Travel Investment Programme does not specifically focus on outdoor recreation, however the walking and cycling facilities developed through this programme provide a valuable and accessible resource for recreational users, as well as commuters.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:

• Measure 1: Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €20,000 grant available)
• Measure 2: Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000 grant available)
• Measure 3: Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000 grant available).
• Project Development Measure: Development costs for strategic large scale Measure 2 or Measure 3 type projects e.g. detailed design, preparation for the planning and/or procurement, appropriate assessment etc. (up to €50,000 grant available).

Funding of up to 90% of the total approved project costs is awarded, with the additional 10% to be provided from other sources. Details of Measures 2 and 3 projects announced today are available here.

16^th November 2022

Minister Joe O’Brien announces over €44 million for the Government’s Social Inclusion Programme

• An increase of €1.3 million (3%) for SICAP in 2023
• All areas across the country to benefit

Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, T.D., has today, (Wednesday, 16^th November 2022) announced over €44 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activity Programme (SICAP) in 2023. This funding has been allocated as part of Budget 2023.

SICAP supports communities and individuals to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality, developing the capacity of Local Community Groups and creating more sustainable communities. The programme supports disadvantaged individuals to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports issues.

Announcing the funding, the Minister said:

“I am pleased to announce this additional funding for SICAP underpinning this Government’s on-going commitment to social inclusion and community development. This programme has an explicit anti-poverty focus, promoting social inclusion and equality and is making a real difference in communities across the country.

“The programme is flexible and reactive and this has been evident in the support over the pandemic and most recently supporting people arriving from Ukraine. The SICAP programme reaches out to those most in need in disadvantaged areas, rural and urban, supporting individuals and communities to access mainstream services. This funding is being provided to enable the Local Development Companies (LDC’s) to continue the great work they are doing, retain staff and direct additional resources to the delivery of SICAP.”

Individuals and Community groups can reach out to their Local Development Company for support.

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Notes for editors:

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP 2018-2023)

• SICAP, the Government’s primary social inclusion programme aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through supporting communities and individuals via community development, engagement, and collaboration.
• SICAP supports communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders developing the capacity of Local Community Groups (2646 LCGs supported in 2021) and creating more sustainable communities.
• SICAP supports disadvantaged individuals (26,483 individuals supported in 2021) to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports.
• SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014 – 2021.
• SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities. The programme is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs) across 51 areas.
• A 10% increase (€4 million) was secured for the programme for 2022, the largest increase since the programme was launched, bringing the budget to €43 million.
• An additional €5 million funding was announced on June 1^st to support the LDCs through SICAP for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine.
• In June, SICAP was awarded the prestigious United Nations Public Service award in the category of “Institutional resilience and innovative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
• The Department secured an increase of €1.3 million (3%) to the 2023 SICAP budget, bringing the total allocation to €44.3 million.

• NETWORK MIX UP – We bought together women from all across Galway; urban, rural, migrants, settled, traveller, young and not so young, mixed abilities, employed and under employed, varied sexual orientation, different ethnicities, religious beliefs, and language.
• MEET, RELATE, CONNECT – participants were invited to broaden their horizons and engage with each other. In an ever changing world, we envisage a community where we can create lasting connections. So we enjoyed getting to know women we might not normally meet.
• SHARE, LEARN, SMILE –  practitioners donated their expertise to offer classes including yoga, dance and self-defence. There was a Human Library and speakers from a broad range of backgrounds who shared their stories in an intimate setting. 
•  SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER – Free tickets were offered to women from marginalised communities. The money raised from ticket sales covered catering, transport and associated costs for the day and opened the door for another women to attend.

This event was supported by SCCUL Sanctuary, SETU YOGA, AKIDWA, Galway City Partnership, and many more.

Picture below is a group of smiling women holding a sign reading whos she galway inside the venue of the event

The shedule of events can be seen below:

Schedule of Events for the day is displayed in a table

Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, has today, (Wednesday October 19^th), officially launched an agreed set of Values and Principles for collaboration and partnership with the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The launch took place at Outhouse Resource Centre, Capel St in Dublin, a community and voluntary organisation supporting the LGBT+ Community, their friends, families and allies.

The publication of these Values and Principles copper-fastens the renewed relationship and partnership between Government and the Community and Voluntary sector, which has been central in addressing the crises of recent times.

Developed by the sector, in partnership with Government, the aim is to support values such as social justice, and active participation along with principles like respect, collaboration and value for money.

The Values and Principles will be used by central and local government, as well as state bodies, as a basis for their interactions with the community and voluntary sector in pursuit of the best outcomes for all communities.

Minister O’Brien said:

“I am really pleased to launch these shared Values and Principles today. They will form the bedrock of engagement and collaboration going forward,

“I am very proud of our record in working with the community and voluntary sector, but I know we can always go further. Our mutual objective to support and empower communities and the individuals within those communities has allowed us to come to a shared understanding and to articulate the values and principles that bind and drive both the sector and state.

“These Values and Principles will support consultation, inclusion and participation of communities, particularly disadvantaged communities, in public policy and decision-making at all levels and forms a foundation for collective approaches to local and national issues.

“The success of this initiative will ultimately be in the realisation and embedding of these Values and Principles, and I look forward to championing them.”

The values and principles were warmly welcomed by all government departments and will now be championed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The document is now available here and the Department of Rural and Community Development will issue information to each department and local authority in the coming weeks.

This initiative forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by the Department to support the community and voluntary sector, and to empower thriving, sustainable communities across Ireland.

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Notes for editors:

Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities

Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: the 5-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland sets out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland. It sets a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to the community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the coming decade.

One of the commitments in the five-year strategy is the adoption of an agreed set of values and principles for collaboration and partnership working at national and local level.

Values:

• Social Justice,
• Empowering Communities, Sustainable Development,
• Active Participation,
• Human Rights, Equality and Anti- Discrimination,
• Social Inclusion

Principles:

• Respect
• Subsidiarity
• Harmonisation
• Value for Money
• Implementation
• Collaboration

The members of the Galway County PPN were asked to attend the meeting in the Claregalway Hotel and vote on a change to the PPN Constitution based on a Circular issued by the Department for Rural and Community Development. The Amendment addressed the voting procedure at PPN Plenaries where there is a lack of a Quorum in attendance. The Amendment was passed and will be included in the Galway County PPN Constitution.

Next, the Members were asked to adopt the PPN Workplan and Budget and ratify PPN Representatives nominated by PPN member groups to sit on the LCDC and Climate Change and Biodiversity SPC. The operational documents were approved and the 9 representatives were ratified by the members present. After a short break, the Plenary heard presentations about an energy efficiency training course that the PPN will run with Clar Éifeachteacht Fuinnimh, from AMACH, Community Finance Ireland and about LocalHub a new app to connect communities.

You can read the Plenary report here: Galway Co PPN Plenary 2022 Report 

and view the Plenary Presentation HERE.

Pictures taken by Jarlath Canney at the Plenary event below: