Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Deputy Leader whether we could, as part of our programme of work, have a series of meetings and debates on the forthcoming budget. This morning, Senators Kyne and Pauline O'Reilly have made reference to community funding and men's sheds. This morning, we received a very informative briefing from the Irish Men's Sheds Association, which has produced a document on the support it needs. There are approximately 360 men's sheds across Ireland, supporting and providing an outlet to 10,000 men every week. A staggering number of men are involved. It is good for their communities, for themselves and for our country. What is worrying is that 70 Irish men's sheds have not reopened since the pandemic. This is for a combination of reasons including funding and the lack of a person to be the leader of that community group. It is important that we support the Irish Men's Sheds Association in a variety of ways. I do not refer only to resourcing, which is important, but to the appointment of regional organisers, allowing for succession planning and ongoing support. I hope that we can have a debate on the Irish Men's Sheds Association. It has four key asks. It wants a sustainability grant, support for start-up sheds, measures on security of tenure, VAT and commercial rates, an enhancement of the core grant and a national recruitment campaign. I encourage Members to support our Irish Men's Sheds Association, an organisation which does great work. It is an important prebudget submission.

My last point - and I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence - is that the whole area of prebudget submissions is one in which we, as a House, can play a role. We can articulate requests, advocate, listen and present different facts to Government.