Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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805. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all of the supports that are available to the community and voluntary sector to deal with rising operational costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57395/22]

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)opened 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 available on the Pobal website now and I would encourage intending applicants to apply as soon as possible, as applications close on 2nd December.

Following the launch of the CVESS, on 18th November Minister Humphreys and Minister Joe O’Brien launchedthe Community Support Fund (CSF)with additional funding of €10m available to provide support with energy costs to groups, such as unincorporated organisations or non-charities, who may not have been eligible under other analogous Government schemes such as the CVESS.

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

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.