Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.

My Department has provided a range of supports which both Men's and Women’s Sheds have availed of, depending on the works being completed.

For example, In 2018 the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)provided capital funding for community groups which included €0.5m that was ring-fenced for Men's Sheds and again in 2019, €0.5m was ring-fenced under the programme for both Men's & Women's Sheds. Again, in 2020 and 2021, Men's and Women's Sheds could apply to the CEP for small grants. Details of successful projects are at this link: www.gov.ie/drcd

In November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund provided funding to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Men’s Sheds and women's sheds were free to apply for this funding via their LCDCs. Details of successful projects from each LCDC will be available on the Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/drcd

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to over 200 Men’s Sheds since 2018, with small grants totalling over €98,000 awarded to 116 Men’s Sheds. This support is still is available from SICAP.

My Department also funded the Irish Men’s Sheds Association under the COVID-19 Stability Funding in 2020. They distributed €70,424 equally among their member sheds to support the organisation to continue to deliver services despite the challenges brought by COVID-19. The association did not apply for funding in 2021.

Funding for Men’s Sheds may also be available through the €70 million LEADER Transitional Programme. This programme, which will cover the period 2021-2022, came into effect on the 1April 2021 for new project applications.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. A new iteration of the scheme commenced on 1 July this year and will run until 30 June 2025. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was allocated €243,158 over the 3 year period of the scheme

I was delighted to continue my Department’s funding support for Men’s Sheds by announcing funding of €800,000 recently. The initiative will see grants of up to €2,000 provided to over 400 Men’s Sheds nationwide, to assist them with running costs such as electricity or insurance bills.

The individual grants will be distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA). In general, I would encourage all organisations to check on the www.gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

I also recently announced €100,000 in funding for Women's Sheds - details of how this funding can be applied for are currently being finalised, but any interested groups should contact the Department at womenssheds@drcd.gov.ie for further details.