Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the establishment of a national umbrella organisation for women’s sheds, similar to what is in existence for men’s sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22370/26]

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the development of a national organisation for Women's Sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22796/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 60 together.

The emergence of Women’s Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where women of all ages can share skills and work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities.

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. I am pleased that my colleague, Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, shares my view.

Both my Department and the Department of Health have jointly funded the provision of a facilitator to assist the representatives of the Women’s Sheds in their discussions around the formation of a national body. The facilitator is also providing advice to the representatives from the Women’s Sheds in the context of appropriate governance structures.

My officials along with their counterparts in the Department of Health hold regular update meetings and good progress is being made, supported by the facilitator.

A final report is expected from the facilitator in the next number of weeks, and this report will help to determine the next steps. My Department will review its recommendations and will continue to engage with the Women's Sheds representatives to determine the most appropriate supports for its implementation.

I was delighted to see the official launch of the Women's Sheds of Ireland (WSOI) earlier this month on International Women's Day. My colleague Minister Murnane O Connor attended a hugely successful launch event held in Tullamore, with over 400 women in attendance. I look forward to engaging with the Women’s Sheds of Ireland in the future.