Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes the new €1 Million Fund to support Men’s Sheds

• This funding will support 435 Men’s Sheds with their running costs

• Grants of up to €3,000 will be provided under new this €1 million initiative

Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities Joe O’Brien TD has welcomed the move by his Department to open a new €1 million Fund to support Men’s Sheds across the country.

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

I recognise and acknowledge the positive role of Men’s Sheds in the context of social inclusion all over the country and welcome this funding to assist them as they continue that work. I have met with many Men’s Sheds across the country and in my own constituency and they play a hugely important role. I want to thank all of the 435 Men’s Sheds for their work and voluntarism and I have no doubt this funding will be a big help.

Under the Scheme to Support National Organisations I directly support the national Men’s Shed organisation. I met with them recently and I commend the work they are doing to support the local groups and help the movement grow. These grants today for the local groups will help them to consolidate their positions in their communities where they play such a vital role.

A growing and new area that Men’s Sheds are working in is in migrant integration and our recent meeting we discussed ways of further supporting this work.