Main pic: Members of some Donegal Men’s Sheds pictured with Cllr Nicholas Crossan at a previous event.
‘Men’s Sheds’ around Donegal are to receive €75,000 in the latest round of government funding.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD has today announced a new €1 million Fund to support the network across the country.
Under the initiative, grants of up to €3,000 will be provided to 25 Men’s Sheds In Donegal.
The funding is designed to assist them with their running costs such as their heating, electricity utility and insurance bills.
The 25 Donegal Men’s Sheds are:
The Minister made the announcement at ‘Shedfest’, the National Conference of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), in Virginia, County Cavan.
“The emergence of our Men’s Sheds has been a hugely positive development for communities right across Ireland,” Minister Humphries said.
“They 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. As we enter the winter months, the supports that our Men’s Sheds provide are more important than ever.
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 Minister Humphreys for her ongoing support for the sheds. The Men’s Shed movement was hit very hard by the Covid pandemic with weekly attendance numbers falling from 10,000 pre-covid to approximately 6,000 currently. This announcement is a major boost for us in the Irish Men’s Sheds Association to know that this funding can be utilised by sheds to pay for their utility bills throughout this winter and mitigate against the increased cost of running a Men’s shed. This funding will help greatly towards the sustainability of Ireland’s 435 Men’s Sheds as many continue to struggle to re-open and remain operational post-covid. There is no doubt Shed members up and down the country, and their communities will benefit greatly from this funding and I know that the support from Minister Humphreys is much appreciated by all shed members.”
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