Leitrim Community Center receives funding for energy costs

Cloone Community Center has received funding to assist with their energy costs under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), announced last Friday, October 20. 

Over €728,00 will be granted to the Community Center. Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State Joe O'Brien TD announced the sixth and final tranche of CVESS recipients.

Under this last tranche worth €78,991, an additional 30 organisations from across the community and voluntary sector will receive a one-off contribution towards the increased energy costs they faced in 2022. 

Hundreds of groups have already benefited under the scheme, which was launched in response to the rising energy cost and its impact on the sector. 

The funding brings the total number of organisations supported under the initiative to 876, with over €1.42 million now disbursed.

"I am delighted today to announce the final tranche of successful applicants under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme," said Minister Humphreys. 

Minister Humphreys says that CVESS will give valuable breathing space to groups that form the backbone of Irish communities, delivering essential services and support and providing facilities to communities all over Ireland.

Minister Joe O'Brien added: "This scheme was about supporting community and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes that might have fallen through the net of other schemes.  

"Over the course of the six tranches, the scheme has given tailored assistance to small local halls and to large, national organisations. I hope that this announcement of funding will help these 30 organisations to continue their vital work."

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 other supports to the community and voluntary sector, promoting sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities across Ireland.