Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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87. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will address the funding shortfall for men's sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14353/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to address the funding shortfall for Irish men's sheds, specifically following the loss of the IMSA sustainability grant, and to make a statement on the matter.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question about men's sheds. I absolutely agree that men's sheds have been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities. I am absolutely committed to supporting the work of men's sheds.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to continue to fund men's sheds. My Department currently provides a range of supports which are available to men's sheds. These include the €7 million local enhancement programme 2025, which allowed men's sheds to apply for running costs, as well as small capital works for their facilities; the SICAP; and the LEADER programme, where funding is not targeted at any particular group but focused on a thematic approach.

My Department also provides funding directly to the Irish Men's Sheds Association under the scheme to support national organisations to support administrative costs.

In previous years, ring-fenced funding was provided to the Irish Men's Sheds Association for distribution to its members. This funding followed on from proposals submitted by the IMSA. Late in 2024, my officials reached out to the Irish Men's Sheds Association regarding its funding requirements. It was advised that the IMSA was not in a position to submit a proposal for funding at that time but indicated that it would be in contact with my Department in 2025.

I will meet the Irish Men's Sheds Association along with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in the coming weeks to discuss its proposals and I will update the Deputy afterwards.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am glad the Minister will meet with the Irish Men's Sheds Association, IMSA. It is a pity that when the Department reached out to them late last year, it was unable, but hopefully this will be sorted out and we will get proper, meaningful support for the many men's sheds throughout the country, especially in Tipperary. We have men's sheds in Clogheen, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Fethard, Mullinahone, Tiobraid Árann, Cashel and Thurles. They are tremendous organisations, and we cannot forget mná na hÉireann either. There are some women's sheds. We have one in Cahir town, Cathair Dhún Iascaigh. It is very important that this voluntary effort is supported by the Government.

12 o’clock

The association is not looking for massive amounts of money. It just wants enough to keep going without having to do a lot of fundraising, which is stressful. I look forward to the Minister meeting with the national group. I hope this matter can be resolved. In fairness to the previous Minister, she was generous to the men's sheds. It is a pity this went off the track but I hope we can get it back on the line again.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Healy raised this issue with me last week. There is no issue. We have provided funding over recent years. We wanted to provide funding last year but were unable to find a mechanism to do so. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I will have a meeting with the Irish Men's Sheds Association. In the meantime, I refer the Deputy to the local enhancement programme. There was money in that for local men's sheds. That will be decided on in the coming weeks.