Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The emergence of Men’s Sheds in recent years has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. In towns, villages and cities which I have visited in my capacity as Minister, I am continually struck by the great work that Men’s Sheds do by offering a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where men of all ages can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities.

The Government is very committed to supporting these groups. In 2018 a range of supports were available for Men’s Sheds and many of these will be available again in 2019.

Last year I provided a special Men's Shed fund under the community enhancement programme.  This made €500,000 of ring-fenced funding available to Men’s Sheds groups to carry out minor capital works or to purchase equipment. Men's Sheds groups were also eligible to apply for funding under the main community enhancement programme, under which €12.5 million of funding was made available in 2018. This year, I have announced an initial allocation of €4.5 million for the community enhancement programme and the Men's Sheds continue to be eligible to apply for funding under this programme.

My Department also has responsibility for SICAP which provided 40 grants totalling €34,050 to Men's Sheds groups in 2018. This support will continue to be available throughout the current iteration of SICAP which runs until 2022.

In addition, under the LEADER programme for the period 2014-2020, funding to the value of €670,685 for ten projects that are for use by groups, including Men's Sheds, was approved in 2018.  This funding stream will continue past 2019.

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