Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
12. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support that her Department has provided to organisations (details supplied) across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62021/22]
View answerMy Department has provided a range of supports over recent years which both Men's and Women’s Sheds have availed of.
In 2020, under the Community Enhancement Programme,124 men’s sheds projects benefited and received funding to the value of €207,836, and 15 women's sheds projects benefited and received funding to the value of €23,956.
In 2021, under the same programme, 68 men’s sheds received funding to the value of €126,804, and 6 women's sheds received funding to the value of €4,728 from this programme.
Since 2018, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to over 200 Men’s Sheds, with small grants totalling over €98,000 awarded to 116 Men’s Sheds. This support is still is available from SICAP.
My Department also funded the Irish Men’s Sheds Association under the COVID-19 Stability Funding in 2020. They distributed €70,424 equally among their member sheds to support the organisation to continue to deliver services despite the challenges brought by COVID-19.
My Department's Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association has been allocated total funding of €243,158 over the three year period of the scheme which runs until 2025.
I recently awarded €800,000 in funding to Men's Sheds, meaning each Shed in the Country can get a grant of up to €2,000 by applying to their parent organisation. This funding complements the €100,000 ring-fence funding I announced in October to support the growing network of Women’s Sheds.
And finally, Men's and Women's Sheds can apply to the recently launched Community Support Fund which provides supports to small groups who are struggling with running costs. Sheds should contact their local LCDC for details of this fund.
