Over €320,000 in funding awarded to community and voluntary groups under the Community Support Fund 2022.

Community and voluntary groups across Fingal have been awarded a joint total of over over €320,000 in funding under the Community Support Fund (CSF) 2022. The announcement was made by Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien at the Donabate Community Centre along with Mayor of Fingal Cllr Howard Mahony. 

The scheme has been designed to support groups with their energy costs who may not have been deemed eligible under previous Government schemes. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities. The CSF will provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups in disadvantaged areas, with funding available to assist with:

• Current Expenses i.e. operating and running costs such as utility bills, rental/lease costs and insurance bills.
• Capital Expenditure such as the cost of repairs and improvements to facilities, purchase of I.T. equipment, furniture, tools, signage, training equipment etc.
• Separate funding will be ring-fenced to provide support for Women’s Sheds. 

The CSF is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with Fingal allocated €341,875 in funding for groups across the County. It was launched in November 2022 at a national level by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.

The CSF is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area. It is part of the wider Community Enhancement Programme, which has funded over 8,000 projects in urban and rural communities throughout Ireland since first being launched in 2018.

Commenting on the scheme, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Howard Mahony said: “I'm delighted to see so many community and voluntary groups across the County being awarded under the Community Support Fund. Fingal County Council really value the hard work carried out by these groups and the CSF will provide vital support to their community efforts. I would encourage voluntary groups to apply in the future where possible."

John, Quinlivan, Director of the Economic Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development Department said: "It's great to see the Community Support Fund assist some very worthy organisations and projects in Fingal. I would like to congratulate each of the successful groups, and look forward to following their activities over the coming year. With energy costs rising, I'm sure this funding will help these groups to continue providing valuable services for their communities."

Announcing the successful projects in Fingal, Minister Joe O’Brien said “The Community Support Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level. 

I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these important groups and we were especially conscious that with the impact of current energy costs many groups would need additional supports to help them to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities.”