Funding boost announced for Northside Men’s Sheds 

MEN’S Sheds received a boost last week following a Government funding announcement. 

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has confirmed that 323 Men’s Sheds, including a number from the Northside, have been approved to receive funding from his Department. 

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

This will enable individual Men’s 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, applications were then overseen by Local Community Development Committees around the country. 

Some of the Northside Men’s Sheds to benefit include:

•Marino and Fairview will receive €1,000 for computing equipment.

•Artane will receive €1,700 for bowling mats.

•Baldoyle have secured €1,771 for timber, paint and building equipment.

•Priorswood will get a combined €2,012 for musical instruments and a laptop.

•Ayrfield and An Cuspior branches will receive €1,248 and €1,000 for general equipment respectively.

•Balbriggan Men’s Shed has been allocated funding for a mitre saw, dust extractor, sander, router and router table. 

•Donabate/Portrane Men’s Shed is receiving investment for the installation of a portacabin or prefab, and Fingal Vintage Society has been granted funding for a power washer.

•The Portmarnock and District Men’s Shed is to receive investment for a dust extractor, flex hose and the required installation. 

•Rush Men’s Shed has been granted funding for safety boots, goggles, earmuffs, masks and cast iron table saw and 

•Both Skerries and Swords Men’s Shed are receiving funding for equipment and furniture.

Minister Ring said the funding will help the Men’s Sheds 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,” he said.

“The emergence of the Men’s Sheds in recent years has been an extremely positive development for communities across Ireland.”

Barry Sheridan, chief executive of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, said: “The IMSA is extremely heartened by the take-up and response to the Men’s Shed Fund amongst our member sheds. 

“We were delighted to be able to work with the Department of Rural and Community Development to bring this fund to fruition.”

Senator Catherine Noone (FG) and Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell (FG) welcomed the funding  announcement for their respective areas.

“Organisations such as Men’s Sheds play an important role in our communities,” said Senator Noone, a Fine Gael candidate in Dublin Bay North for the general election. 

Deputy Farrell said: “Men’s sheds are important facilities in our local communities whereby they offer a safe and inclusive environment for men of all ages to share skills and work on projects which will benefit the local area.”