706. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the provision being made in Budget 2027 for the continued funding of Men's Sheds running costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66836/26]

707. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, the total funding allocated to Men's Sheds running costs; the number of sheds funded; the average grant paid per shed; and if he will make a statement on the matter [66834/26]

708. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether running costs support for Men's Sheds in the current year is being provided through a dedicated Men's Sheds grant or through the Local Enhancement Programme; and the amount ring-fenced specifically for Men's Sheds as distinct from other community organisations drawing on the same fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66831/26]

709. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to set out the current status of the dedicated Men's Sheds running costs grant for 2025/2026; including whether the scheme will open for applications this year; the total allocation; the maximum grant per shed; and the intended opening and closing dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66829/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 706, 707, 708 and 709 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is very supportive of both Men’s Sheds and Women’s Sheds. Indeed, I can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of the important role that these groups play in communities across the country. Men’s Sheds provide a space for men of all ages to come together on a regular basis in a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment.

My Department provides funding to Men’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.

Since 2018, under my Department’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) and its iterations, Men’s Sheds have been allocated over €2.7 million, to assist with building upgrades and the purchase of equipment.

My Department also provides funding directly to the Irish Men's Shed Association (IMSA) under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). The SSNO provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The current iteration of the SSNO commenced on 1 July 2026, with funding of €297,766 over the three-years and 6-month period being provided to the IMSA.

In addition, since 2022, my Department has also provided over €2.3 million in current funding directly to the IMSA for onward distribution to individual Men's Sheds. I recently met with representatives of IMSA to discuss this funding and I have asked the IMSA for further information. On Monday 21st September I received a new proposal from the IMSA in relation to the distribution of the funding and, following a review of these proposals, I will engage with the IMSA.

The table below provides a breakdown of the information requested by the Deputy.

* €1 million in current funding was made available under my Department's 2025 Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) for Community Groups, including Men’s Sheds, to assist with their energy and running costs.

Finally, the Deputy can be assured that I and my Department are totally committed to the work of Men's Sheds and also Women's Sheds on the ground. Given that the current distribution of funding has been identified by many individual sheds as cumbersome and being a burden, when considering the future allocation mechanism for Men's Sheds, my priority is to ensure that the process is streamlined for the Sheds themselves and that funding is targeted and distributed in an effective and efficient manner.