€10 million contract to tackle poverty and social exclusion
AN ambitious countywide project to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment in Wexford was launched yesterday (Monday) with the signing of a €10 million contract between Wexford County Council, Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Wexford Local Development at County Hall in Carricklawn.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) for 2018 to 2022 will see public sector agencies working in partnership with disadvantaged individuals and community organisations to strengthen communities and improve people’s lives through targetged and innovative, locally-led approaches.
The target groups include children and families from disadvantaged areas, lone parents, new communities (including refugees and asylum seekers) and people living in disadvantaged communities.
The Programme is also aimed at the unemployed, including those not on the Live Register, low income workers and households, young unemployed people from disadvantaged areas and young people aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education or training.
People with disabilities will also be singled out for for support, while programmes and projects supporting minority groups such as Roma and Travellers are also included.
Speaking at the contract signing Councillor Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Chairperson of Wexford Local Community Development Committee, said she looked forward to the commencement of SICAP 2018 – 2022 and commented that the programme has the capacity to effect significant change in those communities that are most disadvantaged in County Wexford.
Michael Wall, Chairperson of Wexford Local Development said WLD will bring its wealth of experience of working in the community to bear in building on the success of the previous SICAP programme and it is looking forward to working with the LCDC in supporting disadvantaged communities in the county.