Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1921. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to reports that an anomaly in the community and voluntary sector energy support scheme is excluding many community and voluntary organisations from accessing the scheme (details supplied); if she has any plans to rectify the issues outlined in order that such organisations can be deemed eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1892/23]

Joe 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 2^ndDecember, 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 also 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.

In order to be eligible for support under CVESS, applicants must directly incur the energy costs specified. Depending on their legal operating structure, an organisation providing rental space for community and voluntary organisations may be eligible to apply for CVESS or the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)administered by Revenue. The organisation may choose to pass on any state energy support funding received by lowering the relative energy contributions paid by groups renting space, however that is a matter for the parties concerned.

Community and Voluntary organisations who are not bill account holders may consider applying for support towards their operating costs through the €10m Community Support Fund (CSF). This fund is designed to assist community groups across the country, in light of the current rising energy costs. The fund will deliver small grants to help groups with running costs and rising energy bills and can also be used to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc. Intending applicants should contact their local authority for further details on the fund and the application process.

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.