Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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333. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that are available for community halls and clubs from her Department, especially in relation to energy costs and the current high energy costs incurred by many clubs and halls in keeping their facilities heated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3753/23]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I was delighted to launch the Community Support Fund with funding of €10 million on 18th November last year. This fund, under the Community Enhancement Programme, is designed to assist community groups across the country. Support is available to Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds and other community groups who provide vital services to communities around the country.

The fund will provide grants to help groups with rising energy and operational costs such as electricity bills, insurance costs etc. 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 on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development locally by (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Groups should contact their local LCDC for further details on the application process.

Separately, the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, provides once-off energy supports to organisations within the community and voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. A further round of the scheme is now open for applications.

Further details on all of my Department schemes and funds can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd .