Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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82. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will examine the possibility of establishing a funding stream under her Department for an organisation (details supplied) which is a lifeline for persons especially in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38937/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister if she will examine re-introducing a funding stream in her Department for men's sheds across the State. There is a wonderful, growing organisation, but it is struggling since it does not have a funding stream. It applies for funding here, there and everywhere. Sometimes it gets funding and sometimes it does not. It would be great to see a definite and direct funding stream as was previously in place for our men's sheds, which do wonderful work across the State.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The emergence of men's sheds in recent years has been a positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people of all ages can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities. My Department is providing a range of supports which both men's and women's sheds can avail of, depending on the works being completed. For example, in May, I launched the 2021 community enhancement programme with funding of €4.5 million. The programme provides small grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and for the reopening of facilities.

The social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, has provided supports to more than 200 men's sheds since 2018, with small grants totalling over €80,000 being awarded to 69 men's sheds. This support will continue to be available throughout the current iteration of SICAP, which runs until 2023. Additionally, funding for men's sheds may be available through the €70 million LEADER transitional programme which was launched by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, earlier this year. This programme, which will cover the period from 2021 to 2022, came into effect on 1 April for new project applications. Crucially, the scheme to support national organisations provides multi-annual core funding to national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. The Irish Men's Sheds Association has been allocated €270,000 over the 36-month period of the scheme, which commenced in July 2019 and which will run to July 2022. These funding supports are available to all community groups, including men's and women's sheds, and I have no plans to establish a separate funding stream.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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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.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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While that was a one-off funding round, men's sheds are a testament to the vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector in continually identifying new areas of need. The men's shed movement has been one of the stand-out exceptional examples over the past few years. However, other Departments and agencies are funding men's sheds, which is a good thing and ensures their future growth. The Irish Men's Sheds Association, for example, also receive funding from other sources. In 2019, it received funding of €243,000 for core costs from the HSE under the healthy sheds programme and €43,000 from Sláintecare under the Sheds for Life programme. Sheds for Life is a community-based health promotion programme aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social well-being of men's sheds members. The programme has been designed by the Irish Men's Sheds Association, the HSE and men's health experts and developed in association with sheds' members and leading experts in the field of men's sheds.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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The vital work that men's sheds and the support they offer, especially in remote and rural areas, is very important. It will be even more important now as we emerge from the Covid pandemic. I had the pleasure of visiting the men's shed in Ballaghaderreen last week, which is a really wonderful support for men in the town and outside it. It is replicated in 460 sheds throughout the State. I met with the Irish Men's Sheds Association, which the Minister of State referenced, yesterday. Its members are putting together their pre-budget submission. I ask the Minister of State to look at that submission and consider it in light of the budget. The association has just seven paid staff members for 460 sheds throughout the State. It has been inundated with calls from men looking to get back into the sheds post Covid, which is something that is very positive. The association also runs a health and well-being programme that makes a real difference in the lives of men. We know that sometimes, going to the doctor or getting a health check is a big thing for a man. The fact that it is available in the likes of the men's sheds where they are comfortable and feel safe is so important. That mental health role is critical.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I reiterate and double down on the Deputy's recognition of the value of the men's sheds programme. It is an extraordinary group. In the stability fund last year, we provided the national organisation with a €70,000 grant. As community groups go, it is very vibrant. Looking at how the number of member groups has grown in the past ten years, they went from 40 in 2011 and increased to 100, then to 160 and to 237 before reaching 435 in 2018 and, as the Deputy said, are up to 460 now. If not for the pandemic last year, I have no doubt but that they would be growing stronger again. It is a grassroots movement, which is very good and healthy and what will sustain it over time. Different funding streams will also help it in future. The scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, is core support we provide to the national organisation but having different funding streams will stand to men's sheds and will stand the test of time.