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, 27 January) announced the second tranche of successful applicants under the €10 million Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).
Under the initiative, some 238 organisations from across the community and voluntary sector will receive a one-off contribution towards their increased energy bills for 2022.
Payments will begin to issue to organisations immediately.
Among the successful applicants include:
Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien also confirmed that applications will be accepted until 24 February 2023, with other groups around the country encouraged to apply.
Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted today to announce the second tranche of successful applicants under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme, awarding supports of over €264,000 to 238 organisations all over the country. I hope this funding will go some way to alleviating the burden faced by these organisations as they go about their work delivering essential services, supports and facilities to communities all over Ireland.
“We as a government are very conscious of the impact that rising energy costs continue to have on groups on the frontline. Further tranches will follow shortly. We are also keeping the application process open until 24 February to give groups in the voluntary and community sector the opportunity to get their applications in.”
Minister Joe O’Brien advised organisations to apply for support:
“All the information is on the Pobal website now and applications will remain open until 24 February. I really want to assist as many organisations as we can so I urge any eligible organisations to apply as soon as possible so that we can get that support out to you quickly.”
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 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 – and to stay warm and well this winter. For more information visit www.gov.ie/ReduceYourUse.
The Government of Ireland have 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 have been engaged to administer this scheme on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
This Fund is 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).
Phase One applications are currently being assessed in batches to facilitate timely drawdowns of funding. Further tranches will follow as soon as available.
Phase Two applications will be assessed following the application deadline on 24 February 2023, with announcements expected shortly thereafter.
Note the full eligibility criteria.
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.