A €2 million Government funding package has been announced by Minister Joe McHugh today to support disadvantaged groups across Donegal.
The funding, which will be provided next year, will see €615,095 distributed to communities in the Inishowen region, €363,582 for the Gaeltacht and €1.09million delivered to other parts of the county.
“This is a hugely important funding package for next year, with €2million of Government money directed to groups and people most in need in Donegal,” Minister Joe McHugh said on the announcement.
The investment is being made under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Government’s primary social inclusion intervention, and it follows a fund of about €2million for this year.
Mr McHugh, Minister for Education and Skills, said: “This important initiative will support people who are out of work or on low wages. It will help children and their mothers and fathers who live in deprived areas and lone parents. And the funding can also be put to good use to help support people with disabilities, Travellers, Roma and other groups with disadvantage.”
“Cuirim fáilte róimh an deá-nuacht seo inniú maidir le limistéar faoi mhíbhuntáiste, agus an tacaíocht breise a bheas ar fail daofa.
“The money is used to support communities and individuals. It will be of huge benefit in the areas where services are being provided to help reverse disadvantage, to give people the guidance, confidence and support they need to move on with their lives.
“I have seen first-hand the importance of working with young people and the value of working on initiatives for people in disadvantaged areas. These funds will be important for both urban and rural areas to try to encourage and support people towards mainstream services.”
The €2m funding for 2019 under SICAP will be delivered by Local Development Companies across the county.
SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
