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    • Ministers Calleary and Buttimer announce a funding package of €1 Million to support the work of Men’s Sheds across the country

    Ministers Calleary and Buttimer announce a funding package of €1 Million to support the work of Men’s Sheds across the country

    • Funding to support up to 450 Men’s Sheds with their running costs.
    • Grants of up to €3,000 available to Sheds. 
    • Funding will be distributed by Irish Men’s Sheds Association

    Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer TD, today (Friday 23rdMay) jointly announced a funding package to support Men’s Sheds across the country.

    The funding contribution for this year, together with funding provided by the Department last year, will enable the Irish Men’s Sheds Association to distribute up to €1 million in supports to their members with grants of up to €3,000 available.

    The funding is designed to assist Men’s Sheds with their running and operational costs such as heating, utility and insurance bills.

    The emergence of Men’s Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland and this Government is fully committed to the continued support of Men’s Sheds in the valuable work they do.

    Announcing the funding, Minister Calleary said:

    “I am acutely aware of the hugely positive development the emergence of Men’s Sheds has been for communities right across Ireland.

     

    “I met with The Irish Men’s Shed Association recently and they further outlined to me the benefits providedby Men’s Sheds.

     

    “Sheds all over Ireland help tackle isolation and provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment where men of all ages can come together to socialise, share skills and work on meaningful projects.

     

    “I’m therefore delighted to announce this additional funding that will see the sheds that are members of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association supported with grants of up to €3,000.

     

    “This funding builds on funding of €1.8 millionpreviously provided to support Men’s Sheds, and just shows the long-term commitment to Men’s Sheds from this government.”

     

    Minister Calleary added:

    “I would also like to acknowledge the supports, representations, and advocacy work the Irish Men’s Sheds Association) do on behalf of the network of over 450 Men’s Sheds across the Republic of Ireland and their members.

    “I have no doubt that this funding will provide a much needed helping hand to Men’s Sheds in terms of operational and running costs.”​

     

    Also announcing the funding today, Minister Buttimer said:

    “I am delighted to confirm this funding to Men’s Shed along with my colleague, Minister Calleary. I am very familiar with the work of the Men’s Sheds right and it is clear to me the great benefit they provide particularly in rural areas. 

    “Since I began as a Minister of State, I have visited many Men’s Sheds across the country and listened to their concerns, ideas and suggestions.

    “In providing this funding, the Government is emphasising their commitment to Men’s Sheds as outlined in the programme for government.”

     

    Also welcoming the funding, Enda Egan, CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, said:

    “We are delighted with today’s announcement and we’re grateful to Ministers Calleary and Buttimer for their ongoing support for the sheds. This announcement will enable Men’s Sheds around the country to remain open in the face of rising costs and continue to be connectors and enablers within their communities.

    There is no doubt Shed members and their communities up and down the country will benefit greatly from this funding and I know that the support from Ministers Calleary and Buttimer is much appreciated by all shed members.”

     

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    • The Irish Men’s Sheds Association supports Ireland’s network of 450 Men’s Sheds. Details on all sheds can be found here on www.menssheds.ie.
    • The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was formed in 2011. However, the Men’s Shed movement originally started in Australia which inspired their Irish counterparts to begin their own movement.
    • The Men’s Sheds movement had its birth in Tipperary where the first Men’s Shed was formed. Following the formation of the first shed in Ireland, the shed movement began to grow rapidly, with there now being 450 sheds registered with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
    • 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.
    • Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Unit 6, No 12, O’Carroll St, Tullamore, County Offaly.

     

    Download the Press Release HERE 

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