Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister has said, the continued existence and sustainability of men's sheds is vital for a number of reasons and he mentioned some of them there. They provide support for members by tackling a range of physical and mental health conditions and helping to provide inherent health benefits to a quarter of the population who are disproportionately affected by health issues. They also provide support to other local community organisations, for instance the elderly, meals on wheels and possibly daycare centres.

I have a copy of local enhancement programme from Tipperary County Council which indicates that the grants available this year in 2024-25 under the scheme could be as low as €500. If that were to continue, it would mean many of the sheds would not be in a position to continue in existence, which would have serious knock-on effects on their members and the local communities.

The sheds appreciate the Government assistance and especially the assistance in the past. They wish to see the ring-fenced grants reinstated. I welcome the Minister's reference in the reply to the proposal which it is hoped will come from the Irish Men's Sheds Association and his commitment to consider that. I take it that any consideration of that would be an increase in funding over and above what is available under the local enhancement scheme.

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