Irish energy firm ESB has announced over €270,000 of funding has been awarded to over 45 community and voluntary organisations across Ireland.

The funding is part of the autumn 2015 round of its 'Energy for Generations' community fund.

The Energy for Generations fund supports the work of not-for-profit organisations, charities and community and voluntary organisations whose work falls under the following areas: educational access and support; suicide prevention; and care of the homeless.

Of the 47 autumn 2015 recipients, five national or all-island organisations were awarded funding:

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• Irish Men's Sheds.

• Suas Educational Development.

• Early Childhood Ireland.

• Anam Cara, the bereavement support organisation.

• SOAR Foundation, youth outreach movement.

Anne Cooney, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator at ESB, said: "We are delighted to be able to support the fantastic work of local and national organisations across the island of Ireland as part of ESB’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Every year, our Energy for Generations fund awards approximately €1 million to organisations over four rounds.

"Educational access, suicide prevention and homelessness are all critical national issues which our staff have helped to select as the focus of our programme. Through our Energy for Generations fund, ESB is able to ensure that grassroots organisations continue to provide consistent service to local communities where they are needed most. We look forward to receiving applications for our winter round of funding, which is now open."

(CD/LM)