Budget 2027 recognises the critical role that community development plays in creating a fairer, more inclusive and more resilient Ireland and responds positively to many of the calls in our Pre-budget Submission. We welcome the particular focus on community development, with an increase in funding, particularly the support for new arrivals and the communities in which they settle, being put on a multi-annual footing.
Continued investment in LEADER, the commitment to long-term SICAP funding, and significant supports for rural development, social inclusion, health and community wellbeing are all welcome. Local Development Companies (LDCs) work at the heart of communities across Ireland, and we look forward to working with Government and partners to ensure these investments translate into meaningful outcomes for people, families and communities in every county.
LDCN welcomes the allocation of €74 million to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and broader social inclusion supports. The confirmation that funding stability has been secured has been a critical area that LDCs have consistently advocated for. This is an important step in ensuring LDCs can continue to deliver vital supports to those most at risk of disadvantage, poverty and exclusion and protects the relationships, trust and community resilience that staff have built over the last four years. More broadly, Budget 2027 includes a strong package of investments that will positively impact rural and urban communities throughout the country. LDCN welcomes the Department’s €208 million rural development allocation, including continued investment in the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the Local Improvement Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, and increased funding for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. These initiatives play a critical role in sustaining vibrant, connected and resilient communities.
Budget 2027 also contains a range of important social measures which will benefit many of the people and families supported by Local Development Companies. These include increases in weekly social welfare payments, higher child support payments, improvements to the Working Family Payment, increases in the Living Alone Allowance and Fuel Allowance, and enhanced supports for people with disabilities. The increase in top-up payments for Tús and Rural Social Scheme Participants, which are additional to larger increases in underlying social welfare payments, are particularly welcomed. The expansion of the RSS Rural Dweller Pilot from 250 to 500 places and the reduction in the Tús qualification period from three years to two years are also positive measures.
The Network also notes positive measures for rural, remote and island communities, including increased investment in local infrastructure, outdoor recreation, and improvements to the Living on a Specified Island Allowance. These investments are important in addressing rural isolation and ensuring all communities can share in Ireland’s economic and social progress.
LDCN looks forward to reviewing the detailed Estimates and implementation plans across the government departments that it partners with. This analysis will help determine the full implications of Budget 2027 for community development, social inclusion, social farming, health and wellbeing initiatives, rural sustainability and place-based investment.
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Sources:
Minister Jerry Buttimer addresses SICAP Core Funding Allocation for 2027 from 12:35 onwards in the Youtube video above.
Almost €74 million is being allocated to SICAP and other social inclusion supports, bringing long-term funding stability to the programme, and enabling the continuation of its community integration work in communities across the country.
Minister Dara Calleary
“The Community Development area was a particular focus for me in this Budget and as a result schemes including the Community Services Programme and SÍOL will see increased funding in 2027, and the Social Inclusion area now secured long-term funding stability.”
Minister Jerry Buttimer
“€259 million in funding will be available in 2027 for the community development sector. I am particularly pleased with securing significant additional funding for the Community Service Programme, which will allow us to expand the programme to new organisations. I am also delighted that we have now have long term funding certainty for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme – with previously temporary funding now made permanent and almost €74 million available for that programme in 2027.”