Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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890. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will engage with the relevant authorities for the purposes of conducting an audit of all unused properties in their ownership which may be suitable for use as a Men's Shed, considering the essential role such sheds play in promoting health and providing social support within our communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33659/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A key aim of my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), in line with Our Rural Futureand the Town Centre First policy, is addressing vacancy and dereliction and bringing buildings back into use as multipurpose community spaces, including for such use as Men’s Sheds.

The 2022 scheme prioritised projects that brought buildings back into use, both under the main scheme through refurbishment and renovation, and also through the Building Acquisition Measure which allowed local authorities to buy vacant and derelict buildings to be brought back into community use.

The 2023 TVRS is currently under development and I hope to be in a position to announce the scheme very shortly. The 2023 scheme will continue to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction in line with the aims of the Town Centre First policy.

My Department also provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds, depending on the works being completed.

Last November, I was delighted to announce funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds throughout the country with running costs such as electricity and insurance bills. The individual grants were distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA).

Men's Sheds were eligible to apply for funding under the Community Support Fund (CSF) that was announced last November under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The €10 million CSF was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but also to provide funding for small capital works projects. The CSF is now closed and details of successful Men’s Sheds is available at www.gov.ie/DRCD. Since 2018, over €2 million in funding was allocated to Men’s Sheds under the CEP.

While there is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, the exact scope is yet to be determined. Groups are encouraged to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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891. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will sponsor a national awareness campaign for the purpose of increasing social inclusion for younger men and refugees, considering the essential role such groups play in promoting health and providing social support within our communities, such a campaign would further ensure sustainability and succession planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33660/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), overseen by my Department, is our country’s primary social inclusion programme which aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals.

SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees, with support from local authorities. It is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies across 51 Geographical areas (Lots).

SICAP has 2 programme goals. Goal one is supporting communities, which involves supporting local community groups representing disadvantaged communities and target groups so that they can work towards solving social exclusion issues that affect them. Goal two involves supporting individuals who have been identified as being in need to improve their life chances.This can be through lifelong learning and training, getting labour market supports to improve work readiness, or working with people in broader and more holistic ways so that they can improve their quality of life and general well-being.

SICAP’s objectives have a strong focus on at-risk groups such as Disadvantaged Young People & New Communities. There are three sub-categories within this target group: refugees, asylum seekersand migrants experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

SICAP delivers targeted supports to Local Community Groups that represent and work with Disadvantaged Young People and members of New Communities. The programme also promotes collaborative work amongst agencies to address social exclusion issues and organises information and support events that target Disadvantaged Young People and members of New Communities across the country.