I thank the Minister for Rural and Community Development for coming to the Chamber to respond to this issue, which concerns men's sheds. I have been contacted by 17 different men's sheds in County Tipperary, including those in Ballagh, Ballina, Borrisokane, Cahir, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel, Clogheen, Clonmel, Fethard, Glengoole, Moycarky, Mullinahone, Nenagh, Roscrea, Silvermines, Thurles and Tipperary town. There is serious concern in the men's sheds movement, both in the county and nationally, about funding into the future. The members have serious concerns about the future viability and sustainability of the sheds. This is because of the reduction in grants available for the period from 1 June 2024 to 30 May 2025. In 2023-24, a ring-fenced grant of €1.15 million was available for in excess of 450 sheds. These grants were for up to €3,000 per shed. Of course that money was a lifeline for the sheds and was most critical to their continued existence and sustainability. The sheds are stand-alone and they rely totally on donations and on State grants. The concern is the grant may not be available in 2024-25 and certainly not to the extent it was available in 2023-24. The new grant scheme is not ring-fenced and is distributed among a large number of community organisations. Obviously, the sheds and the community organisations welcome any grants that may be available. The outcome for the sheds, however, is that grant amount will be greatly reduced, with each shed likely to receive a grant amount of between €250 and €500. The shortfall in the grant could be in the region of €2,500 per shed, which would make the sheds unsustainable and inevitably lead to the closure of many of the of the shads. As the Minister is aware, the sheds are unique for a number of reasons. First, they need dedicated rooms or buildings to carry out their activities. They may purchase, rent or lease properties. Running costs for sheds are higher than normal community organisations because of maintenance, utilities, heating and lighting, which are very costly, and insurance which is quite high as well. Materials is another issue which may not arise in other organisations. There can also be fair wear and tear of equipment. All in all, the sheds are seriously concerned about their future viability and existence. I ask the Minister to have the ring-fenced grants that were available 2023-24 reinstated, which would alleviate the concerns and fears of members and ensure the continued existence of the sheds.

Sentiment score: 0.20

As the Minister has said, the continued existence and sustainability of men's sheds is vital for a number of reasons and he mentioned some of them there. They provide support for members by tackling a range of physical and mental health conditions and helping to provide inherent health benefits to a quarter of the population who are disproportionately affected by health issues. They also provide support to other local community organisations, for instance the elderly, meals on wheels and possibly daycare centres. I have a copy of the local enhancement programme from Tipperary County Council which indicates that the grants available this year in 2024-25 under the scheme could be as low as €500. If that were to continue, it would mean many of the sheds would not be in a position to continue in existence, which would have serious knock-on effects on their members and the local communities. The sheds appreciate the Government assistance and especially the assistance in the past. They wish to see the ring-fenced grants reinstated. I welcome the Minister's reference in the reply to the proposal which it is hoped will come from the Irish Men's Sheds Association and his commitment to consider that. I take it that any consideration of that would be an increase in funding over and above what is available under the local enhancement scheme.

Sentiment score: 0.38