The Manager of the Family Resource Centre in Mohill says she hopes the government will change the criteria for energy supports to include parish halls.
Catholic bishops have also appealed for the extension of the supports to churches and parish halls in the aftermath of the budget.
They presently don't qualify for the support because of a particular classification process.
The Mohill resource centre operates from the Canon Donoghue Hall in Mohill and several groups meet there on a regular basis.
Majella Mc Govern says even though they do receive grant aid from Tusla, they're finding it very difficult to pay energy bills over the past year
"With the increase in the whole energy debacle at the moment, we're finding it very hard. We offer so many supports to the community, so we have to have the heating on. We have parent-toddler groups, we have bingo on a Monday night, access visits, active age, men's sheds,, carer's groups, and women's groups. They're coming into our facility, and they need heat. If we look at 2020 to now, our energy costs have gone up over 1000 euro".
