Joe O'Brien - Green Party Joe O'Brien - Green Party

Joe O’Brien Announces Fingal Community Groups Among Those to Receive Energy Supports from Department of Rural and Community Development

13th December, 2022

  • First successful applicants to be paid before Christmas
  • Community groups in Skerries, Rush, and Lusk among successful applicants
  • Further tranches to be announced and paid shortly
  • Revised scheme now re-open for applications until 20th January

Minister Joe O’Brien has today (Tuesday, 13th December) announced the first tranche of successful applicants under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS). Under this scheme eligible organisations from across the community and voluntary sector will receive a once-off contribution towards their increased energy bills for 2022. Community groups in Skerries, Rush, and Lusk are among the successful applicants in the first round. Payments will begin to issue to organisations this week.

The re-opening of a revised and streamlined applications process, which will make the process less burdensome for organisations with a large number of community facilities, was also announced.

Announcing the grants, Minister of State Joe O’Brien said:

“This funding will make all the difference for our local Community and Voluntary groups this winter. These groups are the heart of our communities and provide a wealth of services and supports. I am very conscious of the vulnerability these groups have to energy costs, which this scheme will continue to address.

“I’m particularly pleased that groups in Rush, Lusk, and Skerries are among those to receive the first round of the grant. I know from experience the great work these groups are doing in our local area.

“We are also giving groups a further opportunity to apply for future rounds of the grant using a streamlined process. Community organisations often operate from multiple sites to meet the needs of people where they are – we understand this and so have adapted the application process to make it easier for such organisations to apply. All of the information on the revised CVESS application process is on the Pobal website. I strongly encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the criteria now and begin the application process as soon as possible.

“Through my work with this Department, I regularly meet with the community and voluntary sector, listening to the challenges they face and what they need to deliver key services. I am committed to engaging on how we might address these challenges.

I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across Government to continue to support the work of the community and voluntary sector.”

This initiative forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by Government to meet higher energy costs for households, businesses and community organisations and it complements the Department’s supports to the community and voluntary sector, promoting sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities across Ireland.