€10m fund to support community and voluntary groups

Waterford TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh has welcomed a new €10million fund which was launched today to support community and voluntary groups with increased energy costs. The Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme, which was announced by Minister of State Joe O’Brien and Minister Healther Humphreys will assist organisations in meeting their energy costs this winter.

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:

“Our community and voluntary organisations play a huge role in towns, villages, cities and rural areas throughout the country. They support some of the most disadvantaged in society and they bring life to our communities but many have been in touch with me and they are very concerned about the additional energy costs as a result of the war in Ukraine. The new Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme announced today by my Green Party colleague Minister Joe O’Brien and Minister Healther Humphreys will assist them with their costs so they can continue their very important work throughout this winter.

The scheme is administered by Pobal and organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other schemes are eligible to apply. I strongly encourage all groups to apply for this funding so they can continue their invaluable work within our communities. Applications are now open and groups will be in receipt of payment from the end of 2022.”