Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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265. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding opportunities available this year through his Department to assist local women’s sheds; if he will provide any relevant information in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6622/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Women’s Sheds.

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 was announced in November 2024, with funding of €7 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. Under the LEP, Women’s Sheds are eligible to apply directly to their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for funding under both capital and current funding streams. This will allow Women’s Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for the purchase of equipment for their facilities.

The LEP is administered on behalf of my Department locally by LCDCs across the country, with support from their local authority. I would encourage all Women’s Sheds to engage with their LCDC directly for details on how to apply for this funding.

Separately, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) also provides supports to Women’s Sheds. To date, approximately 13 Women’s sheds received €9,287 in SICAP 2024 – 2028 supports. This support is still available through SICAP.

Also, 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 Local Action Group (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/

I am very aware of the growing interest in Women's Sheds and would urge them to work together with the goal of organising an overall group, similar to the Irish Men's Shed Association (IMSA). As Women’s Sheds do not currently operate under an overall organisation, my Department is unable to provide funding similar to that previously provided to Men’s Sheds via the IMSA. However, my Department has ring-fenced funding under various iterations of the LEP to help Women’s Sheds.

I would encourage all Women’s Sheds to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd and to engage with their LCDCs, Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.