Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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801. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the energy-costs supports that are available to churches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58041/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector in meeting the high cost of energy currently and is committed to supporting the sector in meeting these costs.

Not-for-profit and voluntary organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector are woven into the fabric of community life across Ireland, but they are vulnerable to the impact of increased energy costs.

The recent budget allocated €10m to my Department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities. I am pleased to advise that applications for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) will open on 21st November.

The scheme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. Further scheme details are now available on the Pobal website. I would encourage intending applicants to check the scheme details and to familiarise themselves with the process.

In addition, a new €10m Community Support Fund was launched on 18th November to support community and voluntary organisations, with their running costs and enhancement of community facilities. This scheme will be administered by local authorities and will support unincorporated community organisations, that are not registered charities, with their energy costs.

While churches themselves are not eligible, parish halls and other community facilities that are open to the wider community may be eligible to apply under one of these schemes, depending on their incorporation or charitable status.

My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector, charities, local authorities and local development companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges. I would encourage all groups to engage with Gov.ie, their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

This Scheme is one of a range of supports introduced through Budget ’23 and everyone is encouraged to visit gov.ie/reduceyouruse to find out how they can make energy savings, where safe and possible to do so.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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802. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development where a group (details supplied) can source funding to assist in the running and maintenance of a community hall; if funding will be put in place for increased energy costs; and the way that the group can apply for same. [57296/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I launchedthe Community Support Fund (CSF)on the 18th November with funding of €10m available to support groups with their energy costs who may not have been deemed eligible under previous Government schemes.

The CSFwill provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups to assist with their energy and running costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc.

Funding will be available to support Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and much more.

The funding also includes €100,000 ring-fenced for Women's Sheds throughout the country.

The fund will be administered on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees, details of which can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd.