I welcome the allocation of an additional €10.5 million in Government funding to assist the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine.
This funding is very welcome and will support vital efforts to assist individuals and families arriving from Ukraine. €5 million will be distributed to Local Development Companies through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). A further €5 million will be allocated to Community Foundation Ireland’s Ireland for Ukraine fund. Finally, the Government has announced funding of €500,000 to volunteer centres in acknowledgement of the increased demand on their services in recent months.
I am very proud of the work and dedication of our community and volunteering organisations across Laois and Offaly in their efforts to welcome people from Ukraine arriving in the Midlands. The war in Ukraine has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises and we have witnessed the devastating impacts of Putin’s senseless and immoral regime. We have a duty to support those who come to Ireland not only to secure their basic needs but to identify employment and social opportunities that will allow them to thrive and integrate into Irish society.
The funding announced today from the Department of Rural and Community Development will make a significant difference to this work. I would like to thank all the volunteers across Laois and Offaly who have gone above and beyond in their response to the crisis in Ukraine. This has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic time for many people, but your compassion and resilience will not be forgotten.