Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I certainly cannot forget about the men’s sheds and the women’s sheds, which is a growing organisation. I was particularly keen that we would have the women’s sheds as well. They have been working very well and the network is expanding. I did say to them they should use the men’s shed as a good example. Only yesterday I signed off and made sure that we get the money for the men’s sheds, the women’s sheds and the agricultural shows. These are the important things. They make some difference. The agricultural shows were extremely successful. These are small grants of €5,000, €6,000 or €7,000 for support. When you are a volunteer on a committee of an agricultural show and you do not know whether it might rain or what the weather will be like, having a few bob in your pocket gives you a bit of confidence and you are able to put on that show. After years of bad weather, some of them accumulated debt and they could be gone otherwise. They are such wonderful events within communities. The shows, the men’s sheds and the women’s sheds will be staying, as far as I am concerned.