Minister of State Joe O’Brien announces sixth tranche of funding to assist Community and Voluntary groups with energy costs
Tranche 6 of funding announced providing a further €78,000 to 30 community and voluntary organisations including Santry Community Centre and Malahide Sea Scouts
Funding recipients include organisations providing vital supports to communities
876 Organisations have been supported with a total of €1.42 million now disbursed.
Minister of State Joe O’Brien TD today (Friday 20th October 2023) announced the sixth and final tranche of successful applicants to the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).
Hundreds of groups have already benefitted under the scheme, which was launched in response to the rising cost of energy and the impact it is having on the sector. Under this last tranche worth €78,991, an additional 30 organisations from across the community and voluntary sector will receive a one-off contribution towards the increased energy costs they faced in 2022. Payments will issue to the organisations immediately.
The funding announced today brings the total number of organisations supported under the initiative to 876, with over €1.42 million now disbursed.
Among the successful applicants announced today are:
Santry Community Centre CLG: €1,667
Malahide Sea Scouts CLG: €889
Donegal – Crossroads & Killygordon Enterprise Centre: €4,260
Dublin – Fettercairn Community and Youth Centre €7,186
Roscommon – TSP Suil Ar Aghai CLG: €3,256
Minister Joe O’Brien said:
“I am delighted today to announce the final tranche of successful applicants under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme.
While the grants may be small in nature, I hope they will give valuable breathing space to groups that form the backbone of our communities, delivering essential services and supports and providing facilities to communities all over Ireland.”
“This scheme was about ensuring support to community and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes that might have fallen through the net of other schemes. Over the course of the six tranches, the scheme has given tailored assistance to small local halls and to large, national organisations. I hope that this announcement of funding will help these 30 organisations to continue their vital work.”
Concluding, Minister O’Brien reassured organisations of the department’s commitment to supporting communities:
“My department is consistently working in partnership with the community and voluntary sector, working together to respond to needs and challenges, I look forward to continuing this commitment.”
This initiative forms part of a range of measures introduced in Budget 2023 to meet higher energy costs for households, businesses and community organisations and it complements the department’s other supports to the community and voluntary sector, promoting sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities across Ireland.
The government is urging householders and businesses to ensure that they are availing of the supports that are in place. For more information on the supports available visit the Reduce Your Use webpage.