John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will heed the pleas of those in the voluntary and community sector who are in real financial pain as a result of the energy crisis with regard to the costs of running their services and operations; and if she will commit to ensuring that Budget 2023 reflects the need to provide additional supports to meet those costs. [45102/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I am aware of the challenges facing community groups in relation to running costs. In November 2021, I launched the €9m Community Activities Fund to support community and voluntary groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility (Electricity, Heating charges) or insurance bills.

Groups were also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and/or improvements to their facilities as well as the purchase of equipment. This scheme is part of the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) and is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). The Community Activities Fund is now closed to applicants. It is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed. I would advise the local groups to check www.gov.ie/drcd on a regular basis for updates and to also make contact with their LCDCs for further details on the programme.

While the exact allocations for programmes will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process, I hope to secure continued funding for all of the Department's schemes which support communities, building on the strong performance of these schemes in recent years.