Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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810. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if approved housing bodies are eligible to apply for support under the community and voluntary energy support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58089/22]

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 the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) opened for applications 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. Full scheme details are available on the Pobal website, where organisations can also find details of all available Government funding in respect of energy costs.

Organisations should consult each of the scheme details and satisfy themselves that they do not qualify for any of the analogous schemes, such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Where they are satisfied in that regard and they meet the eligibility criteria set out for the CVESS (i.e., they are a registered charity, an incorporated not-for profit, or both, and they directly incur energy costs – as evidenced through an MPRN/GPRN) they may be eligible to apply. I would encourage intending applicants to consult the scheme documentation and where appropriate to apply as soon as possible as the scheme will close for applications on Friday 2nd December.

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.