Government must match policy with investment on the ground, says Dublin Northwest Partnership

Dublin Northwest Partnership has welcomed the formal presentation of the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2027 to senior Ministers and elected representatives at Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin, highlighting the critical role of community-led delivery across Ireland.

Representatives from Dublin Northwest Partnership were among those in attendance, where the submission was formally presented to Government, calling for increased investment in programmes that support individuals, families, and communities locally and nationwide.

The submission sets out a series of targeted measures—including increased funding for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), protection and expansion of LEADER funding, and strengthened supports for community-based services—which the network says are essential to ensure national policies deliver real impact on the ground.

Dublin Northwest Partnership highlighted the importance of these programmes in the Dublin Northwest area, where they supported 96 Local Community Groups last year.

Niamh McTiernan, CEO for Dublin Northwest Partnership said:

“The Pre-Budget Submission highlights the impact of delivering on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030, which was published by the Government in recent months. In real terms, this means more resources and opportunities that aligns with Dublin Northwest Partnership’s focus on the well-being for people, places and community.”

Philip O’Donnell, Research, Policy & Rural Affairs for LDCN said:

“There is a clear gap between policy ambition and the resources available to deliver it on the ground. These ambitions need to be resourced and these policies need support. Demand for supports continues to grow, and sustained investment is essential to ensure we can respond effectively to local needs.”

The LDCN submission comes as Government prepares to implement major national strategies, including the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026–2030 and the OECD Rural Policy Review, both of which rely on local delivery infrastructure to succeed.

Among the key national recommendations are an additional €6.1 million for SICAP, €10.2 million to address funding gaps in LEADER, and €12 million to strengthen community employment supports, alongside embedding €10 million in annual integration supports into core funding structures.

Local Development Companies collectively support more than 150,000 people and 6,000 community groups annually, delivering approximately €230 million in supports each year across Ireland.