Deputy Mattie McGrath questioned the Minister of Community and Rural Development about a funding shortfall for men's sheds following the loss of the Irish Men's Sheds Association's sustainability grant. The minister affirmed a commitment to men's sheds and outlined existing supports while noting the IMSA had not submitted a funding proposal late in 2024 and that meetings are planned.
Question on men's sheds funding
The deputy asked the minister to address a funding shortfall for Irish men's sheds specifically following the loss of the Irish Men's Sheds Association's sustainability grant and requested a statement on the issue as a whole.
Minister's outline of supports
The minister described men's sheds as a positive community development and reiterated a commitment to their work. The department currently provides supports including the 7 million euro local enhancement programme 2025, the PSICAP activation programme, and the LEADER programme. The minister also noted direct funding to the Irish Men's Sheds Association under the scheme to support national organisations and said previous ring-fenced funding had been provided for distribution.
Engagement with the Irish Men's Sheds Association
Officials reached out to the Irish Men's Sheds Association but were told IMSA was not in a position to submit a proposal late in 2024 and would be in contact in 2025. The minister said a meeting with men's sheds and the Irish Men's Sheds Association will take place in the coming weeks and that the deputy will be updated afterwards.
Local impact and deputy's remarks
The deputy highlighted the local importance of sheds, naming groups in Tipperary including Clawheen, Catechinsure, Clannemel, Fellert Wanda Horne, Cashland and Turles. He said the voluntary groups are not seeking large sums but need sufficient support to avoid exhausting fundraising efforts and stress on volunteers.
Next steps and timing
The minister acknowledged an intention to provide funding last year but said a mechanism to do so could not be found; decisions under the local enhancement programme will be made in the coming weeks. Both the minister and the deputy expressed hope that the forthcoming meetings will resolve the matter fairly and provide meaningful support for men's sheds nationwide.
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Let's dive into the discussions shaping the nation The Minister of Community and Rural Development to address the funding chartfall for Irish men's sheds specifically following the loss of the IEMSA's sustainability grant and if you will make a statement on the matter as a whole Thank you for your question in relation to men's sheds I absolutely agree, men's sheds are a very positive development for communities across Ireland which provide a safe, a comfortable and an inclusive environment where people can share skills, work on meaningful projects for communities and connect with their communities and I absolutely commit to the work of men's sheds the programme for government includes a commitment to continue to fund men's sheds my department currently provides a range of supports which are available to men's sheds including the 7 million euro local enhancement programme 2025 which has allowed men's sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for their facilities the PSICAP activation programme, the leader programme where funding is not targeted at any particular group but focused on a thematic approach my department also provides funding directly to the Irish men's sheds association under the scheme to support national organisations to support administrative costs in previous years ring fans funding was provided to the Irish men's sheds association for distribution to its members this funding followed on from proposals submitted by the IMSA late in 2024 my officials reached out to the Irish men's sheds association regarding their funding requirements they were advised that IMSA was not in a position to submit a proposal for funding at that time but indicated that they will be in contact with my department in 2025 I will be meeting the men's sheds and the Irish men's sheds association in the coming weeks to discuss their proposals and I will update the deputy afterwards thank you I'm glad you're going to meet with the IMSA the Irish men's sheds association because it's a pity that when you reached out to me last year they were unable but hopefully it will be sorted out and we will get a proper meaningful support for the many, many events throughout the country especially in Tipperary we have Clawheen, we have Catechinsure, Clannemel, Fellert Wanda Horne, Tipperary and Cashland and Turles and look it's a tremendous organisation and we can't forget the Manana here and I don't know some women's sheds we want to care at the moment care town and it's very important that this voluntary effort will be supported by the government and they're not looking for massive amounts of money but enough to just keep them going without enormous fundraising and stress of that and so I look forward to my meeting with the National Group I hope we'll this matter can be resolved in fairness to the previous Minister, she was generous to the Vinces and Lucas it's a pity they went off the track but hopefully they'll get back on the line again There's not an issue we have provided funding over recent years we wanted to provide funding last year We weren't able to find a mechanism to do that, but we will have a meeting with the Irish Men's Sheds Association, but also in the meantime, Deputy, I would refer you to the local enhancement program, that had money in that for men's sheds locally, and that will be decided on in the coming weeks. Thank you, Minister. Like, share, and subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. We'd love to hear from you. Thank you.
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