Nephin Energy donation to help alleviate energy costs for families in Mayo
NEPHIN Energy, the largest stakeholder in the Corrib Gas Field in Mayo, has made a €100,000 donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) west region (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) to help the society alleviate the energy costs of families in the region.
This follows a €50,000 donation by Nephin Energy to the SVP west region in January to establish a Nephin Energy energy support fund. The fund is ring-fenced to specifically help address energy poverty among vulnerable people in SVP’s west region.
Tom O’Brien, managing director of Nephin Energy, said: “Nephin Energy is delighted to once again support the tireless work of SVP, at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is putting unprecedented pressure on households.
“Our operations are based in north Mayo and this targeted donation to the SVP west region will be used to help people in counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon who approach the society for support with their energy costs. By partnering with SVP, a truly community-based organisation, we know this donation will be directed to providing practical assistance to those who need it most.”
Maureen Mitchell, SVP west region president, said: “We are very grateful to Nephin Energy for their kind donation. The donations from Nephin Energy are a great help to us and give peace of minds to many of the families we help.
“During this year, as the cost of living rises, many people who contact us are often unable to pay basic utility bills or buy fuel. SVP continues to advocate and take practical steps to reduce energy poverty among vulnerable children and families.
“We are very concerned about customers self-disconnecting or severely rationing energy over long periods this winter and are particularly worried about gas pre-pay customers.
“Over the summer months when people haven’t been turning on the heating, they are still clocking up standing charges, and these charges will be deducted when they do top up again. These meters won’t receive the benefit of the energy credit which will go to electricity meters.”
Following Nephin Energy’s initial donation in January, the SVP Region Council supplemented the fund with an additional €45,897, creating a total fund of €95,897. The SVP west region used that fund to provide direct financial support to 330 families in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon during February and March - an average of €290 per family. The 330 households were helped with oil, coal, gas or electricity costs, with some households receiving assistance towards two or more of these energy sources.