Men’s Shed movement says the needs of older men will be an election issue in Meath

"The general election campaign presents the Men's Shed Movement in Meath and across Ireland with an opportunity to lay out our priorities for the health and social needs of older men and to secure the support of policy makers," said Enda Egan, CEO of the Irish Men's Sheds Association.

He added: "We need the next government to ratchet up their support for men's sheds to help them become more sustainable."

He was addressing 40 delegates from 17 men's sheds across Meath with 250 members in total.

The Meath Sheds are in Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin, Dunboyne, Trim, Kells, Moynalty, Navan, Slane, An Tobar, Meath Coast, Kilcloon, Kilmessan, Drumconrath, Broomfield, Athboy, and Oldcastle.

Mr Egan said: "The general election gives our shed members the opportunity to lobby all sitting TDs and candidates in Meath on the needs of older men.

"We're carrying out a survey and we're organising online meetings to flesh out our policy priorities for our election manifesto."

He added: "Men's sheds provide a valuable outlet for men in urban and rural areas across the county.

"They provide opportunities to socialise, to practice existing skills and learn new skills, and to make a contribution to their local communities. They make a big contribution to the mental and physical health of older men.

"But most sheds are living hand to mouth and some have had to close because of financial difficulties.

"Many sheds have limited opening hours, again for financial reasons, especially with rising costs of electricity for heat and lighting."

Mr Egan explained: "Sheds are increasingly being engaged by national voluntary bodies such as Age Action Ireland, ALONE, and Age and Opportunity, as well as by state bodies such as the HSE, to get access to what is traditionally seen as a 'difficult to reach' demographic. This is a welcome development.'

"Also, sheds are convenient locations to site activities and services such as health and well-being programmes, computer training, and age-appropriate sports activities. In recent times, the HSE has begun using men's sheds as part of their 'social prescribing' service.

"Local authorities, including Meath County Council, are also reaching out to men's sheds to seek help with the integration of migrants and refugees."

He concluded: "Against this background, the sustainability of men's sheds is not just an issue for the sheds themselves.

"It is also an issue for the government and the voluntary and statutory bodies that more and more are channelling information and services to older men through the sheds."