Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Department of Rural and Community Development

Business Supports

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1900. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if addiction services funded under section 39 can avail of the community and voluntary energy support scheme in order to receive financial support to assist with escalating fuel costs. [63531/22]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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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 budget announced on 27th September 2022 allocated €10m to my department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities to help with the additional energy costs incurred in 2022.

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

While applications for Phase One of the scheme closed on 2nd December, I can confirm that my department has streamlined the process for a further round of the scheme, which has been re-opened. Eligible organisations who missed the deadline for Phase One may apply under Phase Two, with the scheme remaining open until 20th January 2023.

Applications received under Phase One are being assessed in batches to support timely decision making and drawdowns of funds. I was pleased to announce the first tranche of successful applicants under Phase One in December, awarding over €250k to 180 organisations across the country. Payments have been issued directly into successful applicants' bank accounts, and a full list of recipients is available on Gov.ie.

The Department of Health through the HSE (Health Service Executive) will provide funding to organisations supported under Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act (2004) towards their additional energy costs, as well as not for profit nursing homes. If an organisation is funded by the HSE pursuant to Section 38 or Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, or run a not-for-profit nursing home, they are not currently eligible for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) and should apply under the relevant Department of Health scheme(s).

I can confirm that my Department are currently monitoring the situation in relation to Section 39 Community and Voluntary organisations, and are in discussions with the Department of Health to determine if additional support may be required.

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. These Schemes are part 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.

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