AQW 19654/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities whether he is considering introducing a further energy payment for grassroots organisations impacted by rising costs.

Asked by Connie Egan MLA on 10 December 2024

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
10 December 2024
Answer due by
30 December 2024
Answered
8 January 202529 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

On 5 June 2024 I announced that, despite the significant shortfall in both the Resource and Capital budget allocations for my department, I had decided to protect the level of resource funding provided to Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) groups through the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.

In addition to that, I have provided an additional 5% of resource (£1.45m) of resource funding to organisations funded through my departments, Community Empowerment Division (CED) and Voluntary and Community Division (VCD) programmes.

This additional resource element is intended, as part of my ongoing commitment to supporting the sector, to make a contribution towards easing the pressures VCS groups face with rising costs.

Official sources