Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had the pleasure this morning of attending a pre-budget submission on behalf of the Irish Men's Sheds Association. As many will know, there are something like 450 men's sheds throughout the country and each week, approximately 10,000 men pass through their doors. The sheds have an open-door policy to men of all ages. It does not matter whether someone is 25 or 95, there will be a smile there to greet that person and the kettle will be on the boil. It does not matter if someone is married, widowed, separated or recovering from an addiction - their doors are open and they are only too glad to see more people coming through.

In County Monaghan, we have five men's sheds in Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Ballybay, Monaghan town and Clones. In County Cavan, there are up to 15. They are hugely popular in County Cavan with great participation. Like many voluntary organisations, however, they are now suffering through lack of funding and particularly with Covid-19, many of their premises were closed down for up to almost two years. They are now in need of funding to keep them going. Two main themes came from the association's basic message, the first of which was funding. It talked about Government allocating ring-fenced funding each year of approximately €2,500 to €5,000 per shed. That would be hugely beneficial to them.

The association also wants the Government to initiate a national campaign to recruit more members, which I thought was quite important. Great work goes on in the men's sheds. Regardless of where people are or what is going on in their lives, there are people there they can talk to and as I said, the sheds have an open-door policy. I would welcome if the Leader could organise a debate with the Minister regarding not only the funding of men's sheds, but their promotion nationally so that more members will be able to participate.