Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Women’s Sheds, depending on the works being completed.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to 62 Women’s Sheds, for example in facilitating training courses and holding focus groups. To date the programme also awarded small grants totalling over €10,000 to 7 Women’s Sheds. This support remains available through SICAP.

In October 2022, I was delighted to announce funding of €100,000 to support Women’s Sheds throughout the country with running costs, such as electricity and insurance bills. This funding was ring-fenced under the €10 million Community Support Fund 2022.

Women's Sheds were also 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 fund was administered by Local Community Development Committees on behalf of the Department and is now closed. Details of successful Women’s Sheds is available at www.gov.ie/DRCD.

There is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, however, details of the fund, the allocations available and the focus have not yet been confirmed. I would encourage all groups to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and 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.

Separately, funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development. The budget for the LEADER programme is allocated for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the LAG in the allocation of funding.

Organisations, such as Women’s Sheds, may be eligible for LEADER funding but in the first instance contact should be made with the local implementing partner. Contact details for the Implementing Partners are available on my Departments website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups/.