Thousands of community groups are to benefit from a €10 million fund to tackle energy costs announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien today (Friday, November 18).

The Community Support Fund will provide small grants to a wide range of local community groups to assist with their running costs, such as electricity, insurance or other overheads.

Funding will be available to parish halls, community centres, local development associations, social clubs, senior citizen groups, and men’s and women's sheds, among others.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said community groups, like everybody else, are not immune to rising prices, and she fully appreciates the work carried out by volunteers in communities across the country.

"These will be small grants ranging from a few hundred euro to a few thousand euro but I know they will make a big difference to the groups involved," Minister Humphreys said.

Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities, such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, and training equipment.

The new fund has been devised to support groups with their energy costs who may not have been deemed eligible under previous government schemes, according to the minister.

Minister O’Brien said: "In recognition of rising energy costs the government announced a package of funding supports to business, cultural, health, sporting and community and voluntary organisations in September.

Minister Humphreys previously launched the €10 million Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), which will provide once-off support to the community and voluntary sector.

Funding will be provided to incorporated organisations and registered charities, which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by government such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).

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 new fund to help community groups tackle energy bills will be administrated by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) on behalf of the department.

Community groups interested in applying are encouraged to contact their LCDC over the coming days at the contact numbers provided. Contacts details are as follows: