Community and voluntary organisations are under increasing financial pressure due to rising day-to-day operational costs, according to Fine Gael Senator Gareth Scahill, who has called for the reintroduction of targeted Government support funding.

Senator Scahill said many groups are struggling to manage essential expenses such as insurance premiums, electricity bills and heating costs, warning that some organisations are being pushed to the brink of closure.

He urged the Government to consider reinstating a dedicated support fund to help sustain community and voluntary groups, arguing that rising costs are threatening their long-term viability.

"Capital funding for community projects is always welcome, but volunteer numbers are falling and the demands on community groups are increasing. We cannot take these groups for granted any longer. "Every community organisation that disappears takes with it experience, volunteer capacity and a valuable social outlet which is often impossible to replace.

"Active retirement associations, community centres, town teams and countless other local organisations continue to do outstanding work. Yet every year they face increased insurance premiums, rising utility costs and growing financial pressures."

Senator Scahill highlighted previous funding initiatives, including the Community Support Fund, which provided €10 million in operational assistance to local groups. He said a similar scheme should be reintroduced to help offset rising costs.

He also raised concerns about the administrative and financial burden placed on volunteer organisations by capital funding models, particularly matched funding requirements and complex application processes.

Senator Scahill said he will seek commitments on support measures for community groups ahead of Budget 2027.

"We are in danger of losing these volunteer organisations if we can't support them. Reinstating the €10m fund would go a long way."