Green TD Steven Matthews has welcomed the new “Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme” recently announced by the Green Party’s Minister Joe O’Brien . This scheme has been created to help community and voluntary groups with increasing costs of energy and will provide once-off support payment to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes already being delivered by Government.
Speaking after the announcement of the funding Deputy Matthews said:
“This funding announced by my Green Party colleague Minister Joe O’ Brien will provide much needed support to the voluntary groups who play such a vital role in our community. The importance of these groups has been even more apparent over the last few years as the importance of community spirit has been more important than ever.
“While indeed this funding is welcome, it is necessary that similar schemes are extended to the education sector immediately. Over the last number of months I have been contacted by many school representatives expressing their concern over skyrocketing energy bills. I have been in contact with the Minister for Education Norma Foley calling for the provision of a similar scheme to the “Community and Voluntary Energy Support” to schools around the country. Now, more than ever, schools require support to ensure that no child is forced to receive their education in a cold classroom,” Deputy Matthews concluded.
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