Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in 2017; and the funding that will be provided in 2018. [38506/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The organisation referred to by the Deputy (Men's Sheds) is a member-based network with affiliated member bodies throughout the country. I am delighted to support the Men's Sheds; the funding provided by my Department is outlined below.

In 2017, I provided funding of €14,900, to the central Men's Sheds organisation, to purchase IT equipment. Also in 2017, my Department provided €131,720 to 81 member bodies under the recast RAPID programme and the Communities Facilities Scheme enabling them to upgrade their facilities and expand their activities.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provided 13 grants to men’s shed groups totalling €12,300 to date in 2018. SICAP also provides other supports to individual member bodies. In 2017, 142 groups were supported by actions that were undertaken under SICAP. In 2018 to date, the figure is 121.

In 2017, four projects were approved for €69,788 under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme. By August 2018 a further six applications had been approved to the value of €263,554.

For 2018, I announced a new Men’s Shed Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme. This provided €0.5 million for Men’s Shed Groups to complete minor capital works or to purchase equipment.