Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:136. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the supports available for capital development of men’s sheds projects around the country. [37830/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 21 May 2026
Ceisteanna (136)
Freagraí scríofa
The emergence of Men’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 in the valuable work they do.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to continue to fund Men's Sheds and my Department currently provides a range of supports which are available to individual Men's Sheds.
These supports include -
• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme(LEP) 2026, the results of which I will be announcing in the coming weeks.
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 - 2028, which primarily funds current expenditure, however small-scale grants are available to assist Local Community Groups and Networks to purchase small capital items (laptops, phones etc.) that will improve and enhance the function of the group and its work.
• The LEADER programme, where funding is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities but focused on a thematic approach to rural development. Prospective applications should in the first instance contact the LEADER Local Action Group in their area to discuss potential applications.
In addition to these schemes, earlier this month, I announced details of the Men’s Sheds who have benefitted from funding my Department provided directly to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), this funding was for operational costs rather than capital.
I would encourage all Men’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 funding opportunities as they become available.