Calls for immediate Men’s Sheds funding as grant gap grows

Westmeath Sinn Féin councillor David Jones has called for the Government to immediately restore funding for Men’s Sheds, warning that promises of a future funding model will not keep sheds open in the meantime.

Cllr Jones has joined Sinn Féin mental health spokesperson Sorca Clarke TD in calling on Minister for State Dara Calleary to restore the 2025/26 Men’s Sheds Grant, or introduce an equivalent interim funding arrangement.

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has confirmed that the 2025/26 grant will not proceed, with the next dedicated grant currently expected in 2027. This leaves Men’s Sheds without dedicated grant support for running costs from May 2025 through to the end of 2026.

Cllr Jones said the funding gap could last at least 18 months and potentially longer.

“Promises of a future funding model will not keep Men’s Shed doors open. Men’s Sheds need funding now,” he said.

He said sheds generally operate on modest budgets and depend heavily on volunteers, with grants helping to meet basic costs including rent, insurance, electricity, heating and water.

“Those costs do not disappear because Government funding has been withdrawn,” he said.

According to IMSA, which represents almost 500 Men’s Sheds nationally, some sheds could be forced to reduce activities or opening hours, while others could potentially become inactive as a result of financial pressures.

Cllr Jones said the role played by Men’s Sheds went beyond the financial value of the grant, describing them as important meeting places where people can socialise, learn skills, work together and contribute to their communities.

“For some men, their local Shed can be the difference between being isolated at home and having a place where they belong,” he said.

Deputy Clarke has similarly called for immediate action, arguing that the withdrawal of funding was difficult to reconcile with stated efforts to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Both representatives are also seeking clarity from Minister Calleary on why the grant was withdrawn and how any future funding model will operate.

Cllr Jones said any replacement scheme should be properly funded and should not result in less money reaching individual sheds.

He is also calling for dedicated funding to be ring-fenced for Men’s and Women’s Sheds into the future.

“Men’s Sheds are doing their bit every day to keep people connected. Government needs to do its bit too,” he said.

The calls come as Men’s Sheds across Ireland face rising operational costs, with the organisations relying heavily on volunteers to maintain their services and activities.

Cllr Jones said certainty over funding was needed both immediately and in the longer term, particularly given the role sheds play in supporting community development and addressing social isolation.