Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1285. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline what direct supports are being provided to men’s and women’s sheds; and whether multi-annual core funding will be introduced. [23533/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The emergence of Men’s Sheds and Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people of all ages can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities. I am fully committed to supporting Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds in the valuable work they do.

My department provides funding to Men's Sheds and Women’s (Sister) Sheds under various funding supports, including:

The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 which allowed Men's Sheds and Women’s Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for the purchase of equipment for their facilities. LEP 2025 has closed for applications;

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028 also provides supports to Men's Sheds and Women’s Sheds. This support is still available through SICAP; and

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. Both Men’s and Women’s Sheds may be eligible to apply.

Men’s Sheds apply individually for the schemes mentioned above. Funding was channelled by my Department through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) in 2022 and 2023 and was distributed directly to the Men’s Sheds by that organisation.

In addition, the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) has been extended for 6 months from 30 June 2025 onwards. The IMSA has been allocated total funding of €283,684 over the three-years and 6 month period of the scheme.

I recently met with the IMSA to discuss possible funding streams going forward. I invited them to submit a funding proposal and my officials are engaging with them on this matter.

I am very aware of the growing interest in Women's Sheds but 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.

At present, I do not have any plans to introduce multi-annual core-funding to Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds.

I would encourage all Men’s and Women’s Sheds 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.