Sinn Féin spokesperson on Rural Affairs, Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Conor McGuinness TD, has called on the Government to immediately restore the Men’s Sheds Grant for 2025/26 and provide dedicated funding into the future.
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has confirmed that the 2025/26 Men’s Sheds Grant will not proceed, with the next dedicated grant currently expected in 2027. This leaves Men’s Sheds without dedicated grant support for their running costs from May 2025 through to the end of 2026.
Deputy McGuinness said:
“Promises of a future funding model will not keep Men’s Shed doors open. Men’s Sheds need funding now.
“The grant Government has withdrawn was intended to cover costs from May 2025. We are now looking at a funding gap of at least 18 months, and potentially longer.
“I am calling on Minister Dara Calleary to restore this year’s grant or to put an equivalent interim funding mechanism in place without delay. Saying that a new funding model may be introduced next year is not good enough.
“Men’s Sheds operate on modest budgets and rely heavily on volunteers. The grant helps cover basic costs such as rent, insurance, electricity, heating and water. Those costs do not disappear because Government funding has been withdrawn.
“The potential consequences are serious. IMSA represents almost 500 Men’s Sheds across the country, and has warned that some may have to reduce their activities or opening hours, with some potentially becoming inactive.”
Deputy McGuinness said the contribution of Men’s Sheds goes far beyond the value of the grant itself.
“Men’s Sheds are at the heart of communities across Ireland. They provide people with a place to meet, socialise, learn skills, work together and contribute to their local community.
“For some men, their local Shed can be the difference between being isolated at home and having a place where they belong.
“I have spoken at length about the challenge of loneliness and social isolation in our society. At a time when we rightly say that tackling isolation and strengthening communities are priorities, it makes no sense to withdraw a relatively modest source of funding from organisations whose entire purpose is bringing people together.
“Sinn Féin has long argued for increased support for Men’s and Women’s Sheds because of the important role they play in combating isolation and strengthening communities.
“We should be investing in these organisations, not leaving them to shoulder rising energy, insurance and other costs without dedicated support.”
Deputy McGuinness said the Government must provide certainty for Men’s Sheds both now and into the future.
“The Government needs to act now to cover the funding gap and give Sheds the certainty they need.
“I also want the Minister to explain why this decision was taken and how it fits with the Government’s commitment to supporting Men’s and Women’s Sheds.
“Any future funding model must be properly funded and must not simply result in less money reaching Sheds. I am also calling for dedicated funding to be ringfenced into the future.
“If the Government is serious about tackling social isolation, supporting older people, strengthening rural and urban communities and investing in community development, then Men’s Sheds must be part of that strategy.
“Men’s Sheds are doing their bit every day to keep people connected. Government needs to do its bit too.”