Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that the emergence of both Men’s and Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland and I am fully committed to supporting them in the valuable work they do.

My Department already provides funding for Men's and Women's Sheds under various funding streams, including:

• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025, the results of which I will be announcing shortly.
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028; and
• The LEADER programme.

Men’s and Women’s Sheds apply individually for these schemes.

My Department channelled funding through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) in 2022 and 2023 to distribute directly to the Men’s Sheds. In addition, the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) has been extended for 6 months from 30 June 2025 to the end of 2025. 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 Irish Men’s Sheds Association to discuss funding going forward. A proposal has been received from the IMSA, including suggestions for additional funding streams, and this proposal is currently under consideration.

I am very aware of the growing interest in Women's Sheds and would urge them to work together with the goal of organising a national group or network, 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, officials in my Department along with colleagues in the Department of Health are currently liaising with members of the National Forum of Women’s Sheds to arrange a meeting to discuss how they might be supported in setting up a national organisation similar to the Irish Men’s Shed Association.

My Department officials keep the funding application processes for funding available through my Department under ongoing review with a view to simplifying the application process where possible.

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.