Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
16. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding could be allocated to community groups and centres to help them meet the increased costs of operating this winter. [62481/22]
View answerI was delighted to launch the Community Support Fund with funding of €10 million on 18th November this year. This new 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 Local Community Development Committees (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, will provide 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.
I can confirm that my department has streamlined the process for the CVESS and a further round of the scheme is now open. In addition, eligible organisations who missed the deadline for Phase One may also apply under Phase Two, with the scheme remaining open until 20th January 2023.
I was pleased to announce the first tranche of successful applicants under Phase One earlier this week, with further announcements to follow.
Further details on all of my Department schemes and funds can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd.
