Written answers
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Department of Rural and Community Development
Men's Sheds
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1954. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider providing additional funding to an association (details supplied) following the loss of the IMSA sustainability grant for the period of May 2024 to April 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds including those referred to by the Deputy.
These supports include:
- The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 which allowed Men's Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for the purchase of equipment for their facilities. LEP 2025 has recently closed for applications.
- The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028 also provides supports to Men's Sheds. This support is still available through SICAP.
- The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) - The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has been allocated total funding of €283,684 over the three-years and 6 month period of the scheme.
- The LEADER programme where funding is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities but is focused on a thematic approach to rural development.
I would encourage all Men’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.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1955. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider providing additional funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11504/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds including those referred to by the Deputy.
These supports include:
- The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 which allowed Men's Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for the purchase of equipment for their facilities. LEP 2025 has recently closed for applications.
- The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028 also provides supports to Men's Sheds. This support is still available through SICAP.
- The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) - The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has been allocated total funding of €283,684 over the three-years and 6 month period of the scheme.
- The LEADER programme where funding is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities but is focused on a thematic approach to rural development.
I would encourage all Men’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.
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