Community groups get help with energy bills

More than seven thousand euro is being issued to community groups across County Cavan to help pay their energy bills with Drumgoon Community Centre the beneficiary of the largest grant.

The funding has been confirmed by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).

Hundreds of groups have already benefitted under the scheme, which was launched last year in response to the rising cost of energy and the impact it is having on the sector.

The successful groups in County Cavan in the latest round of funding are:

- Drumgoon Community Centre : €3,171

- Bailieborough Development Association: €2,493

- Cross Hall Committee: €488

- Swanlinbar Development Association: €1,033

Payments will issue to the organisations immediately.

The funding announced today brings the total number of organisations supported under the initiative to 552, with over €705,000 now disbursed nationwide.

Announcing, Minister Humphreys said: “Although the winter months are behind us, energy bills remain high and this is posing particular challenges for our community and voluntary sector.

“The grants being announced today may be small in nature, but they will give a bit of breathing space for groups that deliver essential services, supports and facilities to communities all over Ireland."

The scheme is now also being expanded to include organisations in receipt of 'section 39' funding from the HSE.

"Our communities depend on these organisations, and it is only right that we do what we can to support them," said Minister Humphreys.

She further confirmed that the scheme is now open to incorporated community and voluntary organisations or charities who have been refused support under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), on the grounds that they are engaged in passive trade. Such organisations should apply in the normal way, providing confirmation from the Revenue Commissioners that they are ineligible under TBESS.

Making the announcement toda

Applications under the scheme can still be made up until Friday, March 24. All eligible groups around the country are encouraged to apply.

All the information is on the Pobal website and a dedicated helpdesk can be reached at energyscheme@pobal.ie