Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that she is taking to assist with the rising cost of energy facing many community organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62020/22]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that her Department is taking to assist community groups with the high energy bills that they are facing. [62731/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 59 together.

The Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, will provide once-off support to incorporated organisations and registered charities within the community and voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government.

Applications are being assessed in batches to support timely decision making and drawdowns of funds. I was pleased to announce the first tranche of 180 successful applicants this week, with further announcements to follow. Payments will be issued directly into successful applicants bank accounts immediately, and a full list of recipients is available on Gov.ie.

While Phase One of the CVESS closed on 2^ndDecember, I can confirm that my department has streamlined the application process further. Phase two is now open and will remain open until 20th January 2023. Further details are available on Pobal’s website.

The Community Support Fund, with funding of €10 million was also launched on 18th November this year. This is a new fund, under the Community Enhancement Programme, and is designed to assist community groups across the country, in light of the current rising energy costs.

The fund will deliver grants to help groups with rising energy and operational costs such as electricity bills and insurance costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade or refurbishment works and for the purchase of equipment which supports their activities such as laptops and printers, training equipment, tables, chairs etc.

The Community Support Fund is being administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on behalf of my Department, with support from their Local Authority. Groups should contact their local LCDC for further details on the application process.

My department will continue to work to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges.

Finally, the government is urging householders and businesses to ensure that they are availing of the supports that are in place – and to stay warm and well this winter. For more information visit www.gov.ie/reduceyouruse.