Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State knows, a stream of funding under that very community enhancement programme was in place, which was extended to women's sheds in 2019. That funding has not been in place since. I am not speaking about the community enhancement programme, which I acknowledge the Minister of State referenced and is in place, but the direct stream of funding for men's sheds under that scheme that is no longer available. I acknowledge that there are many different grants and schemes across both rural and community development but it is very difficult for members of men's sheds to have to apply for this and that grant. They might get it this year and not get it the next. It is not sustainable and the funding available to them is not guaranteed. Many men's sheds have major overheads, for example, some are paying up to €1,500 in insurance. These men's sheds provide such a valuable and vital source of support in rural communities for many people who live alone and who otherwise may be isolated. I again ask the Minister of State to consider making available the direct funding stream under the community enhancement programme.

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