46. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider funding a virtual version of men's and women's sheds for farming and isolated rural communities who because of geography cannot avail of an in-person setting the purpose of which would be to provide a networked social setting supporting inclusiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46258/26]

The emergence of Men’s and Women’s Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland, helping to tackle rural isolation by providing a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where men and women of all ages can share skills and work on meaningful projects and connect with their each other and their communities.

The in-person connections formed through Men’s and Women’s Sheds create meaningful, symbiotic relationships that allow people to build a strong sense of belonging and provide an opportunity to reduce loneliness and rural isolation.

My Department provides funding to Men’s and Women’s Sheds under various funding supports, including:

• The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP);

• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028; and

• The LEADER programme.

Men’s and Women's Sheds can apply individually for all of these schemes.

In addition to these schemes, last May, I announced details of the individual Men’s Sheds who received funding from my Department provided through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), to assist with their running costs.

I have not received any correspondence or proposals from the IMSA or the Women's Sheds Of Ireland (WSOI) in relation to establishing an online version of Men’s or Women’s Sheds. Should such a proposal be made, it would be considered by my department in the context of the overall resources available for Men's and Women's Sheds.