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 launched a new €10 million Fund to support community and voluntary groups with the increased energy costs.
The Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme will open for applications to groups on Monday 21 November.
The scheme is designed to help the sector with their increased bills, which is having an impact on the operations of many community and voluntary groups.
The scheme will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).
The scheme will open for applications on Monday 21 November and close on Friday 2 December. It is expected that payments under the scheme will commence before the end of this year and into early 2023.
Announcing the funding package today, Minister Humphreys said:
“This new scheme recognises the pressures that our community and voluntary groups are under due to rising energy costs. This is a sector that we care deeply about and are committed to support them through this difficult winter. Through this €10 million fund, financial support will be provided to these groups from the end of 2022.
“Our community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in supporting strong and resilient communities, and thriving towns and villages and it is essential that we continue to support them in carrying out their invaluable work. Today’s announcement of the Energy Support Scheme shows that Government has heard the concerns of the sector and we have worked hard to deliver this significant response. I’d encourage all eligible groups to apply for this support with the application process opening from, 21 November."
On foot of the unveiling of today’s funding package, Minister O’Brien stated:
“Community and Voluntary and charitable organisations help support the most disadvantaged in our society, and this package will assist them to continue their vital work. I have engaged with the C&V sector, my government colleagues and my officials on this issue over recent months to ensure we devised a scheme that would alleviate some of the additional energy costs facing organisations. I am confident the new funding package announced today will significantly assist organisations in meeting their energy costs this winter.
"We’ve worked to make sure the application and payment process are straightforward, but I really encourage intending applicants to check the scheme details on Pobal’s website over the coming days and familiarise themselves with the application process and documentation required, so that they are ready to apply when the application window opens.”
Full scheme details are now available on the Pobal website.
This initiative forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by the department to support the community and voluntary sector, and to empower thriving, sustainable communities across Ireland.
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).
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.