Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
44. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on funding allocations for men’s and women’s sheds from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has provided a range of supports which both Men's and Women’s Sheds have availed of, depending on the works being completed.
For example, in 2018 the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provided capital funding for community groups which included €0.5m that was ring-fenced for Men's Sheds and again in 2019, €0.5m was ring-fenced under the programme for both Men's and Women's Sheds.
In 2020, the CEP received total funding of €7.2m, including €5m under the Government's July stimulus package for repairs and upgrades to community centres and community buildings. Under this 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, the CEP provided funding of €4.5m for small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and towards the re-opening of facilities. Men's sheds along with other community groups could apply to this funding 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.
In November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund (CAF), under the CEP was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund provided funding to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Men’s and Women's Sheds were eligible to apply for this funding via their LCDCs.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to over 200 Men’s Sheds since 2018, 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.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The current iteration commenced on 1 July 2022 and will cease on 30 June 2025. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has been allocated total funding of €243,158 over the three-year period of the scheme.
I recently awarded €800,000 in funding to Men's Sheds, meaning each Shed registered under IMSA could get a grant of up to €2,000.
This funding builds on the €100,000 I announced in October, which has been ring - fenced under the recently announced Community Support Fund (CSF) to support the growing network of Women’s Sheds. This funding is being administered by LCDC's on behalf of the Department and any interested Women's Shed should contact their LCDC directly.
Men's Sheds can also apply under CSF - which provides supports to small groups who are struggling with running costs and also funding towards small capital projects. Sheds should contact their local LCDC for details of this fund.
