Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
890. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will engage with the relevant authorities for the purposes of conducting an audit of all unused properties in their ownership which may be suitable for use as a Men's Shed, considering the essential role such sheds play in promoting health and providing social support within our communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33659/23]
View answerA key aim of my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), in line with Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy, is addressing vacancy and dereliction and bringing buildings back into use as multipurpose community spaces, including for such use as Men’s Sheds.
The 2022 scheme prioritised projects that brought buildings back into use, both under the main scheme through refurbishment and renovation, and also through the Building Acquisition Measure which allowed local authorities to buy vacant and derelict buildings to be brought back into community use.
The 2023 TVRS is currently under development and I hope to be in a position to announce the scheme very shortly. The 2023 scheme will continue to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction in line with the aims of the Town Centre First policy.
My Department also provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds, depending on the works being completed.
Last November, I was delighted to announce funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds throughout the country with running costs such as electricity and insurance bills. The individual grants were distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA).
Men's Sheds were eligible to apply for funding under the Community Support Fund (CSF) that was announced last November under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The €10 million CSF was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but also to provide funding for small capital works projects. The CSF is now closed and details of successful Men’s Sheds is available at www.gov.ie/DRCD. Since 2018, over €2 million in funding was allocated to Men’s Sheds under the CEP.
While there is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, the exact scope is yet to be determined. Groups are encouraged to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
