Ó An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail
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Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Joe O’Brien have today (Friday 20 October) 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:
Minister Humphreys 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.”
Minister Joe O’Brien added:
“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 Humphreys reassured organisations of her 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.
Also 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.
The full list of successful applicants is available here: Community & Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).
The Government of Ireland made an allocation of up to €10 million available to support organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other schemes such as, the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners and sectoral schemes for arts, culture, sports, health and Gaeltacht organisations.
Pobal were engaged to administer this scheme on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
This Fund was intended to provide once-off financial support towards the increase in energy costs in 2022 for organisations within the community and voluntary sector (as defined under eligible organisations).
Pobal is an organisation that works on behalf of the Government of Ireland and in collaboration with international partners, to support communities and local agencies towards achieving social inclusion and development.
Pobal operates under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Pobal is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Members of the Board are appointed by Government, on the nomination of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, in line with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. The company operates on the basis of a framework agreement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and programme-specific service level agreements with individual departments.
Pobal administers programmes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the Department of Health (DoH) /HSE and a number of EU bodies.
Pobal works in the areas of social inclusion, early childhood care and education, local and community development, peace and reconciliation, equality, labour market supports, youth services and education and training.