Changes in Shed Sustainability Grant Funding
PRESS RELEASE 08th November 2024
Irish Men’s Sheds respond to changes in Shed Sustainability Grant Funding
Irish Men’s Sheds Association CEO Enda Egan acknowledges new funding allocations for Men’s Sheds in 2025, while voicing concerns over potential funding shortfalls.
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association welcomes the confirmation that Men’s Sheds across Ireland will have access to funding to cover running costs in the coming year, but CEO Enda Egan has expressed concern over an apparent reduction in dedicated funding. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State Joe O’Brien TD, announced a €1 million allocation under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025. This funding will be shared among Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds, and other community organisations to assist with energy and operational expenses.
In 2023, €1,150,000 in funding was specifically allocated for Men’s Sheds, enabling each shed to apply for grants of up to €3,000 for their running costs. In the previous round of Men’s Sheds Grants just over €919,000 was claimed by 378 sheds in Ireland out of a total of 435. This year’s inclusion of the Shed funding in the Local Enhancement Programme 2025, which is also available to other organisations, means that the amount available per shed will most definitely decrease significantly. This will result in Men’s Sheds having a substantial reduction in available funding to cover their overhead costs.
“We appreciate the Government’s continued commitment to Men’s Sheds and are pleased that sheds will also be eligible to apply for support for small capital improvements to their facilities,” said Egan. “However, including additional organisations within the same funding pool, without a proportional increase in the overall amount available, raises concerns about the adequacy of support that individual Men’s Sheds will receive. The knock-on effect for many Sheds and their local communities has the potential to be utterly devastating”.
For 2025, local County & City Councils will administer the funding via Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), introducing a new application process. “The IMSA will support sheds in navigating these changes to access funding quickly and efficiently,” added Egan. “In light of these adjustments, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and its members will campaign vigorously in the coming weeks, seeking commitment from election candidates to maintain funding levels at up to €3,000 per shed and support sheds on the ground ensuring they have the capacity to engage with the application process. We need to ensure that Sheds are sustainable and continue to provide support for men by tackling a range of physical and mental health conditions and helping to provide inherent health benefits to a cohort of the population that are disproportionately affected by all major health issues. This development appears to be a step backwards for Men’s Sheds and may result in the closure of many Sheds who are struggling to remain viable and sustainable since the Covid pandemic.
ENDS
Editors Note:
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association supports Ireland’s network of 400 Men’s Sheds.
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was formed in 2011. and at least 7,000 men visiting a shed every week.
In 2023 Minister Humphries announced a €1,000,000 grant to support sheds https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/26b4c-minister-humphreys-announces-new-1-million-fund-to-support-mens-sheds/
In 2022 €800,000 was announced: https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/ac172-minister-humphreys-announces-800000-to-support-mens-sheds/
Over the past decade, Men’s Sheds have become a vital part of Ireland’s community infrastructure. Sheds offer men an opportunity to meet in a supportive, collaborative space, improve their health and wellbeing, and contribute to their communities.
The Association has also received government and European recognition of their contribution to Ireland. In 2018, the Association received the European Citizen’s Award after being nominated by Irish MEPs.
Irish Men’s Sheds Association:
- address – Unit 6, 12 O’Carroll Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly. R35 P0A2
- phone number – 086 6087759 or 0818 900 800
- email – info@menssheds.ie
- website – www.menssheds.ie
