John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on the setting up of a National Women's Sheds Network similar to the Irish Men's Sheds Association; if he will provide funding similar to the Men's Sheds to the Women's Sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38246/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the growing interest in Women's Sheds in Ireland, and of the great work they do all over the country. They provide a space for women of all ages to come together on a regular basis in a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment.

However, as Women’s Sheds do not currently operate under an overall national organisation, my department is unable to provide funding to Women’s Sheds similar to the funding provided to Men's Sheds via the Irish Men's Shed Association.

I am committed to providing any support I can, for the development of a national governing body for Women’s Sheds to ensure that individual Women’s Sheds can benefit from having a strong national representative body to advocate on their behalf. To this end a number of meetings have taken place between representatives of women's sheds and officials from my Department and colleagues from the Department of Health.

The most recent meeting focused on how the National Forum of Women’s Sheds might be supported in setting up a national organisation. The meetings were positive, and I commend the work the National Forum of Women's Shed have done to date, which shows their commitment to this matter. Following these discussions a number of options are now under consideration.

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