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From:Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The Report provides a detailed analysis of programme beneficiaries, supports provided and progress achieved in 2025

Minister Jack Chambers T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, joined Minister of State Jerry Buttimer T.D., with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, today (Thursday, September 10th) to launch the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Annual Report 2025 in Dillon House, Coolmine, Dublin 15.

SICAP is co-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme (EIST) 2021 – 2027.

SICAP’s primary objective is to improve the quality of life for those facing social exclusion and inequality, through supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.

The SICAP Annual Report 2025 highlights the impact of the current programme which has a renewed focus on targeting those who are most disadvantaged in Irish society.

To support this, resources are targeted locally based on local needs and local knowledge. By the end of 2025, key performance indicators (KPIs) for the programme were exceeded by 22%, indicating strong programme reach among marginalised communities and individuals.

In 2025, 3,097 Local Community Groups and 33,714 individuals were supported by the programme, with significant levels of new participation.

The report also acknowledges the role of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the Local Development Companies (LDCs), local community groups and volunteers who support the delivery of the Programme at County and local area level.

Launching the report, Minister Jack Chambers said:

“As the government’s primary social inclusion programme, SICAP provides vital services to reduce poverty and tackle social exclusion and marginalisation experienced by groups and individuals across the country. It’s a privilege to be able to mark another successful year of the delivery of the SICAP programme here today.

“Where people and groups are not engaged with mainstream supports, SICAP provides a pathway to those marginalised people and groups to participate in their local community and its development.

“The statistics in the 2025 SICAP Annual Report published today clearly show the vital supports this programme provides to many communities right across the country.”

“SICAP does vital work in helping individuals and groups, by improving the life chances of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or unemployed. The hard proof of SICAP’s impact is evident in the statistics published in the Annual Report. The programme has exceeded its Key Performance Indicators for the year by 22%, and I have no doubt the programme will continue to build on this positive momentum.

“Indeed, Empower that is hosting us today has 15 SICAP workers based here in Dillon House delivering SICAP services to up to 400 people each week in this venue alone.”

Continuing Minister Buttimer said:

“I am very pleased to have Minister Chambers join me today to launch the SICAP annual report and help raise awareness of the important work of the programme.

“Minister Chambers, and Government as a whole, have continued to support SICAP and recognise the important role it plays in communities across Ireland. I look forward to continuing that support for the vital work of SICAP.”

Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare said:

“We welcome the launch of the 2025 SICAP Annual Report today which shows that over 33,700 marginalised people received over 125,000 supports in 2025. Of those, over 16,500 completed a course, 2,838 progressed to employment and 1,546 set up their own business.’’

The Report for this event is publishedhere.

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

SICAP 2024-2028 is a national programme, co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027. The programme is delivered by Local Development Companies (LDCs) in every community in Ireland, using community development approaches to help those in the greatest need. SICAP works with individuals and groups, strengthening communities and improving the quality of life of those facing social exclusion and inequality.

The current iteration of SICAP commenced on the 1st of January 2024.

Pobalworks on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development.

Pobal’s vision is to create an equal and inclusive society in partnership with Government and communities.

The role of Pobal is to provide management and support services to 38 programmes in the areas of Social Inclusion and Equality, Inclusive Employment and Enterprise, and Early Years and Young People. We administer these programmes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Social Protection, as well as the Department of Health/HSE, the Department of Justice, and a number of EU bodieswww.pobal.ie.