Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

811. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on a fund (details supplied) to assist community and voluntary organisations that are struggling with bills. [58165/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. Further scheme details are available on the Pobal website and I would encourage intending applicants to apply as soon as possible as the scheme will close for applications on Friday 2nd December.

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 fund will be administered by local authorities and will support unincorporated community organisations, that are not registered charities, with their energy costs.

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.