The Clare Local Community Development Committee is hopeful its new deprivation strategy will provide assistance to those living on the margins of society.
Over €6 million in funding has been granted to this county “to tackle poverty and social exclusion” in a variety of forms.
Contracts have been signed between the Clare Local Community Development Committee and the Clare Local Development Company to deliver the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, for 2024-2028.
The programme, which is worth €6.5m to this county, is partially funded by the government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and is aimed at supporting disadvantaged groups through local engagement and partnerships.
Among those included in the ‘disadvantaged’ category are people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income and members of the Traveller or Roma communities.
Shannon Independent Councillor and Chairperson of the Clare Local Community Development Committee Gerry Flynn believes lack of access to services is one of the key issues to be addressed.
SICAP is administered by Pobal, whose recent report identified over 1,000 people in this county as living in either ‘very disadvantaged’ or ‘extremely disadvanted’ areas.
The analysis was based on factors such as progression to third-level education, single-parent households and unemployment.
Chief Executive of the Clare Local Development Company Doirín Graham says a primary goal of the programme is to present those in deprived circumstances with opportunities to improve their lives and better themselves.
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