Fifteen Men’s Sheds in Mayo set to benefit from funding

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mchael Ring, has today confirmed that 15 Men’s Sheds in Mayo have been approved to receive over €20,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

In July 2018, Minister Ring announced the allocation of €500,000 nationally under the Men’s Sheds stream of the Community Enhancement Programme.

The purpose of the funding is to enable individual sheds to upgrade their facilities by purchasing equipment or by carrying out minor works to improve their shed. The initiative was developed in association with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.

Following the allocation of the funding to each local authority area last July, an application process was then overseen Mayo Local Community Development Committee.

Following this process, the minister can now confirm that funding has been allocated to 310 Men’s Sheds across every county in Ireland, including 15 in Mayo.

The Men’s Sheds in Mayo to benefit are as follows:

 

Stated Minister Ring: “I’m delighted that 15 Men’s Sheds in Mayo have been allocated funding. This will help to make them to improve their premises or add to the range of equipment they have.

“It’s really heartening to hear what the individual sheds are doing with the money and it shows that modest investments in good community organisations can go a long way. The emergence of the Men’s Sheds in recent years has been an extremely positive development for communities across Ireland and I’m delighted to be able to support the sheds in these early stages.

For Ballina Men's Shed, the Men's Shed Fund has enabled the acquisition of a bandsaw for their carpentry workshop.

Shed secretary, Seamie Rice, said: "This is a game-changer for us. It's a big piece of kit and it's going to completely revolutionise the types of projects we can carry out. It'll take our workshop to the next level."

Minister Ring continued: “Among their members they have great experience and know-how and they make a massive contribution to their local communities.

"They provide invaluable support to important local initiatives such as Tidy Towns groups, local festivals and important charity events.

“I thank the Irish Men’s Shed Association for working with me on this initiative and making it such a success. Men’s sheds are a great initiative and I’m happy to help in this way. I want to thank everyone involved in men’s sheds across the country.”