John Paul O'Shea
Cork North-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I raise the ongoing dispute between the Department of Social Protection and the Branch Managers' Association, which represents the social welfare branch offices that continue to provide vital social services in communities across the country.”
“At a time when these local offices continue to provide an invaluable service, particularly in rural Ireland, it is important that constructive engagement takes place.”
“I concur with the Minister on the uptake of the grants, particularly the windows and doors grant. There has been a significant uptake in that grant. Certainly, through our own constituency offices, we can see there is great interest in it. I commend the Minister, his Department and all the team on making that available.”
“The Minister mentioned in previous contributions this morning the national energy affordability task force. Having that come out in quarter 3 of this year will be very important, particularly the four points addressed as part of that.”
“I thank the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department for the significant level of grant funding that has been delivered to Cork North-West in recent years for projects and community initiatives.”
“I welcome the Minister's commitment to the publication of the Our Rural Future strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. It is vital that we continue to deliver for rural Ireland through sustained investment and practical schemes that make a real difference in people's lives.”
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“I thank the Minister for taking this question. I am asking her to provide a breakdown of all planned and approved capital works for Mallow General Hospital, the nature and scope of each project, the current stage each project is at including planning, design, tender or construction, the expected timelines and the further use of the hospital.”
“The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform, Digitalisation, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2026: Votes 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19.”
“Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss State support for arts spaces and cultural venues in Ireland and emergency funding for the Complex, Dublin 7. The matters raised by Deputies Sean Fleming, Naoise Ó Muirí, Aidan Farrelly, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Aindrias Moynihan have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss capacity issues at Naas General Hospital and the status of planned capital works. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn - To discuss the new school project in St. Eunan's College. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for a 24-hour rapid response vehicle at Tuam ambulance base. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the Bryan MacMahon Hall at Scoil Réalt na Maidine, Listowel. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss bus routes across Dublin south west. Deputy Tony McCormack - To discuss the issue of criminal activity in Edenderry. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss the community supports available for those with an eating disorder at Christmas. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan - To discuss the need to advance guidelines for biogas developments.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Sean Fleming - The transfer of patients from Erkina House in Rathdowney, County Laois and the future of this facility. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss changes to bus networks in Dublin north west. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss public transport improvements in Chapelizod. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss qualification for carer's leave for teachers. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. Deputy Paula Butterly - To discuss when approved CIÉ pension increases will be paid. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss policing and community safety in Waterford.”
“I will work with the Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and others to try to address the long waiting list for Cork county. I can guarantee the Minister that we will spend whatever money we get.”
“I thank the Minister. It is good to see that Cork County Council is getting a lot of praise here this morning for its participation in the scheme and for ensuring many roads will be done this season. A total allocation of €2.33 million for 2025 is very welcome. I am sure many roads in my area, Cork North-West, and right across the county will be done. It is great that many roads on the islands off the mainland of Cork County have been done also. It is important to get the allocations out early in the year so we can ask the local authorities about projects. The roads staff do all our public roads and are involved with the community involvement scheme and roads programme right across Cork county. It is important from a resource point of view to get the allocation as quickly as possible.”
“Many applications have been received by Cork County Council and there are many on hand. As a public representative for the area, I urge the Minister to continue to push for further funding between now and 2030 so we can continue to address the backlog of roads that need to be improved during that time.”
“I thank the Minister. It is great to see that so much progress has been made on the local improvement scheme since it was re-established in 2017. The 5,000 improved roads in many rural parts of the country are very important to many of our constituents. I welcome the fact that the Minister has doubled the funding this year to €30 million, representing one of the largest increases for the scheme in the history of the State. It is great to see that Cork County Council has expended over €14 million on the scheme since its re-establishment in 2017. There are many roads in my constituency, Cork North-West. We had the privilege of having the Minister down in Rylane last weekend. Many roads around Rylane and other areas are in significant need of refurbishment.”
“A strong home support system is central to a compassionate and functioning healthcare system. We owe it to our older citizens and those who rely on those services to ensure it is properly delivered, fully staffed and adequately funded. The HSE must act with urgency here. Sadly, the recruitment I have seen in Cork is nowhere near the urgency that is required in this situation. We need immediate and targeted measures to recruit and retain home support workers across the country and in our own county of Cork.”
“I thank the Taoiseach. I agree with him that the resources are there; the problem is in recruitment and ensuring we get enough staff in place to continue. Our population is ageing and needs are increasing. The State must respond proactively, not reactively. The principle here is simple. People should be supported to live at home for as long as possible. The State must ensure the supports required are available when needed, not months later. Home support is one of the most empowering, cost effective and socially valuable services we provide. Strengthening it must be a priority for the Government, the HSE and for us all. I will continue to work with families and their carers to ensure that every individual who needs assistance can receive it promptly and reliably.”
“He passed away without getting one hour of home support, despite being approved. Another lady in my constituency spent five weeks in hospital following being approved for discharge, waiting for a home care package to be approved. This should not be happening. We need the HSE to respond with a clear plan on how to identify and address this issue. Carrying on like it has been for the past 12 months or more is no longer acceptable. We need an immediate plan for the home care sector. I hope the Taoiseach can use his offices to ensure we can make significant progress over the coming weeks and months.”
“Too many people are waiting for far too long for essential hours to begin. Too many families are left in distress trying to bridge that gap. This is not acceptable. A service that is so fundamentally important cannot be allowed to operate under strain, uncertainty or chronic staff shortages. I received a response to a parliamentary question in the past number of days. There are 5,377 people waiting for a service for home support across the country at present. In Cork city and county, 890 clients have been waitlisted for home support, of whom 543 are waiting for a new service with 347 existing clients waiting for the allocation of additional hours. To give a few local examples from my own area, a man in his eighties, a farmer all his life who paid taxes for over 65 years got a diagnosis and died nine weeks later in his home.”
“It gives reassurance to families, reduces isolation and promotes independence, values that must remain at the heart of our health service. We cannot ignore the critical role the home support service plays in easing pressure on our hospitals. When adequate support is available in the home, unnecessary hospital admissions can be prevented and hospital discharges can happen more smoothly. For older people in particular, remaining at home with proper assistance is often far safer and healthier than spending extended periods in acute settings. Home support services are a vital part of the wider solution to overcrowding, delayed discharges and pressures on our emergency departments. However, to fully realise the benefits of home support, the service must be resourced, properly staffed and delivered in a timely and consistent manner.”
“I want to raise the issue of home support with the Taoiseach today. Home support, often known as home help, is one of the most essential person-centred supports provided by our health and social care system. It is a service that allows older people and those with additional needs to continue living safely, comfortably and independently in their own homes and communities. For many families across Cork and throughout the country, home support is not just a convenience but a lifeline. Every single day, home support workers carry out dignified and compassionate work that enables people to remain connected to their neighbours, communities and the place they call home. This sense of place, familiarity and independence has been proven to have a profound impact on a person's physical and mental well-being.”
“I very much concur with the Minister on the importance of having permanent solutions in place rather than temporary measures. That is very important. A few prepayments were made previously but getting permanent payments is what it is all about. Timely ACRES payments are not a luxury but a necessity. They uphold trust, recognise the efforts of farmers and allow the scheme to achieve its full environmental and economic potential. There is strong support for the scheme in the farming community of Cork North-West and I will continue to work with the Minister to push for a system that delivers payments swiftly, efficiently and predictably each and every single year.”
“Across the country, farmers are delivering real, measurable benefits, planting hedgerows, restoring habitats, managing grasslands, reducing emissions and protecting our natural heritage for future generations but for farmers to continue this essential work, the Government must ensure that ACRES payments are made fully and on time each year. Farmers plan their finances around these payments. They rely on them to meet costs, invest in their holdings and deliver the environmental measures expected under the scheme. Delayed payments can create uncertainty, cause cash flow pressures and undermine confidence at a time when farmers are already facing rising input costs and increased regulatory demands.”
“I thank the Minister for his continuing engagement on this matter. As he knows, a lot of farmers in Cork North-West are involved in ACRES. I know the Minister inherited a lot these issues when he moved into his new role but he has made great strides to ensure that we are now up at over 90% in terms of payments for many of the schemes from 2023 and 2024. ACRES is not just a scheme but a partnership between farmers and the State to protect our environment, enhance biodiversity, improve water quality and ensure that sustainable farming remains at the heart of rural Ireland.”
“There has been some improvement. I encourage the Minister to see if we can work with the HSE to make more improvements in that regard and make more clinics available more locally. It is a challenge for people in Cork North-West to travel into the city to accommodate clinic appointments in St. Finbarr's Hospital or the dental hospital. More clinics around the vicinity of Cork North-West would be of huge benefit.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I want to focus on the HSE dental services that are available to children and to adults with significant special care needs. The service provided over the last number of years has been challenged by the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been a number of challenges in terms of providing orthodontics, particularly in ensuring there are enough staff to support clinics right across Cork North-West. We have clinics in Charleville, Newmarket, Mallow and Macroom. We also have St. Finbarr's Hospital and the Cork University Dental School and Hospital in Wilton to support that. However, it has been quite challenging to get the school programmes back up and running. Obviously, there is an opportunity for children in second class and sixth class to avail of dental examinations and appointments.”
“I am very grateful that the Minister attended a conference in Cork last weekend to see that we can all work together collectively to ensure there is a robust orthodontic service for the people of Cork and Cork North-West going forward. It is critical that people look after dental health. It is publicly available here. It is important to avail of that service.”
“I thank the Minister for that update on dental services, particularly in north-west Cork, north Cork and mid-Cork. Certainly, there seems to be gaps in some areas where the DTSS is not available to many medical card holders. That is a serious issue we must try to alleviate. The number of contractors involved in the scheme has increased, but only slightly. As the Minister said, it is still not enough. I would like to see more people coming into that scheme and I would like it to be available for medical card holders. It is important to recognise the orthodontic team that works within the orthodontic service and not just dentists. The Minister mentioned the role of hygienists as well.”
“Are there plans to expand or improve dental facilities, including clinics, in north-west Cork? Are there plans for new or upgraded facilities to meet the growing demands of towns like Macroom, Charleville, Kanturk, Mallow and Millstreet?”
“It is important to offer that option of affordable housing right across constituencies - we have five constituencies in Cork - and in such a big geographical area and also that we continue to offer affordable housing not only in our larger towns but also in our smaller towns.”
“Yes indeed there are many projects right across Cork North-West that are at an advanced stage of development. Fingers crossed that with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Cummins and O'Sullivan, we will see many more projects opened in the coming years. I also want to mention the affordable housing targets that are set out as part of Cork City Council and Cork County Council plans in Housing For All. A significant development has been made in the affordable housing sector, particularly for Cork County Council which achieved more than its targets for last year and for this year so far. It is good to see that we are accommodating affordable housing for people across Cork county. The Minister of State will know that it is a very large and a very diverse county and geographically it is significant.”
“I had the pleasure of taking the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, to social housing projects in Macroom and Coachford recently and I see the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, visited many projects right across Cork county in the past weeks. It is good to see progress is being made but certainly from a social housing perspective, I would like to see that good work continue right throughout this year and into the future.”
“It is good to see that those figures are quite high and strong, that Cork City Council has a target of 592 houses this year, and that Cork County Council has 683. This will bring in the bones of 1,200 new social houses into the system in Cork city and county for 2025. I very much welcome that almost 2,100 units are in the pipeline between Cork city and county. It is important that both local authorities would strive to continue to build social homes within Cork city and county. Being a west Cork native, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, will know the good work that is going on right across the county.”
“I ask for an update on delivery of affordable and social housing in Cork city and Cork county, including the expected number of units to be completed in 2025. Perhaps the Minister of State will make a statement on the matter.”
“We have made considerable strides in improving the public transport network in rural county Cork through the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan. We have seen successful roll-out of bus services from Mallow to Fermoy, Charleville to Mallow, Mallow to Mitchelstown, Killarney to Macroom and the latest one, the 243 bus service from Newmarket to Cork. Today I am inquiring about the roll out of the Mallow to Killarney service which will service villages like Ballydaly, Cecilstown, Ballyhass, Castlmagner, Kanturk, Botherbue, Knocknagree and Rathmore. I believe TII is working with the Department on the roll out in this quarter. I would appreciate an update.”
“I thank the Minister for his commitment today on this very important issue. Budget 2026 will be the start of the process of ending the means test for carers. I very much welcome that. I hope we can work towards that goal over the lifetime of this Government. The Minister mentioned how there would be an extreme cost to the taxpayer with increased costs to the health system if carers did not exist. The contribution of carers is not something that should be measured by a bank balance. It is measured by the hours of care given, the love provided and the burdens carried for all carers.”
“Their work is immeasurable in human terms but also has undeniable social and economic value. I acknowledge that changes like this take time, that they require significant resources and that they must be implemented carefully. I believe, however, that there is a strong recognition on the part of the general public and the Government of the need to improve support for carers.”
“I welcome the Minister's response and thank him for outlining the plans to phase out the means test for carer’s allowance over the lifetime of the Government. Furthermore, I acknowledge the implementation of increased disregards for the carer’s allowance in recent months. This has assisted many carers to get an increased allowance or, indeed, to qualify for one for the very first time. The phasing out of the means test will send a powerful message that Ireland recognises the irreplaceable work of carers and that we will not place unnecessary barriers in the way of those who give so much of themselves. These carers make enormous personal sacrifices. They often have to step back from work, set aside career ambitions and reconfigure their entire lives around the need of their loved ones. They do so not out of duty but out of love.”
“This question relates to an issue that goes to the very heart of compassion, dignity and fairness in our society, namely the support we provide for family carers. Across Cork North-West and, indeed, every parish in Ireland there are countless people who quietly dedicate their lives to caring for a loved one, whether that is a child with additional needs, an elderly parent or a partner who requires daily support. Will the Minister provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to phasing out the means test entirely for the carers allowance during the lifetime of this Government?”
“The challenge is that if an urgent appointment is required, the people of Cork and of Munster have to travel to Dublin for a one-day service appointment to get that urgent passport. That is where the critical issue is.”
“I thank the Tánaiste. I compliment the passport staff. The many passport service staff I have dealt with in my role as a TD for the Cork North-West constituency have been very helpful at all times. It is great to see that a new passport office in opening in Cork in the autumn and that there will be additional staff in that office. I know this matter has been brought up locally in my county, Cork, by local representative Councillor Rory Cocking in the Midleton local electoral area, and also by my colleague here in the Oireachtas Senator Eileen Lynch. It is a matter of importance to everybody in Cork to see if we can get a service operating that would be of benefit for all the people of Cork.”
“The Dublin office offers one-day and four-day turnaround services, while the Cork office only offers a four-day service. If the Cork office was able to provide a one-day turnaround service, as well as a printing service, that would be welcome.”
“As the Tánaiste said, there are two publicly accessible passport offices, one on the South Mall in Cork and one on Mount Street in Dublin, in addition to a passport printing facility in Balbriggan. Of these three buildings, only two print the passports, with one printing facility in Dublin city centre and two printing presses in Balbriggan. There is no such facility in Cork. Given that the number of annual first-time passport applications has more than doubled, and renewal applications have nearly doubled in the period from 2020 to 2024, an additional passport printing service is definitely needed. I note the Tánaiste's comments about the public offices and the passport services in Cork and Dublin operating an urgent appointment service for renewal applications.”
“I stand here today to respectfully request that additional funding be allocated to the local improvement scheme, LIS, in 2025 to address the long waiting list for the scheme in every county across Ireland, particularly in my home county of Cork. There are currently thousands of applications on hand within local authorities, many dating back five years or more. I urge the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to consider this request for increased funding for the LIS. This investment will yield significant returns through improved road infrastructure for people living on these roads and it will also improve road safety. It will strengthen the rural development outcomes we should all be working towards.”
“Deputies Conor Sheehan and Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss policing and Garda resources and organised crime in Limerick city. The matters raised by Deputies Pat the Cope Gallagher, Conor Sheehan, Maurice Quinlivan, Thomas Gould, Sinéad Gibney and Carol Nolan have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss funding of Cluain training and enterprise centre in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the national childcare scheme for children with disabilities. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss implementation of legislative timelines for assessing and reimbursing medicines applied for by pharmaceutical companies. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for updated wind energy development guidelines. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss the quashing of approval for the A5 dual carriageway, and its implications for the future of the A5-N2 project. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the closure of SouthDoc Blackpool. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the lack of adequate aid to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
“Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss the need to allow data centres to put in place their own power lines. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the limitations of the supplementary welfare allowance. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh - To discuss the defective concrete block scheme. Deputy Carol Nolan - To discuss measures to address the bureaucratic burden for school principals. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss initiating tranche 2 of the flood relief programme for the communities of Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Killeagh and Mogeely in County Cork. Deputy Donna McGettigan - To discuss the need for assessment of needs services in the mid-west HSE area. Deputies David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss funding for capital developments at ports and fishery harbours in Waterford.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss the closure of a montessori in Stepaside and general lack of childcare availability in Dublin Rathdown. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the use of Louth County Hospital in Dundalk as a surgical hub for the north east. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the level of preparedness for a major cyberattack on the State. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the need for drastically improved respite services at schools in County Kerry. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil - To discuss ongoing road safety issues in Kildare North. Deputy Séamus McGrath - To discuss the need to reduce interest rates to bring them more in line with EU average rates.”
“The Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 20 - Garda Síochána; Vote 21 - Prisons; Vote 22 - Courts Service; Vote 24 - Justice; and Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission.”
“I hope that when the review of the national development plan is published, it will set out in black and white that we should proceed without any further delay on this vital project. I am looking for an update on the project, please.”
“I am looking for an update on the progress of the N20-M20 Cork-Limerick motorway project. I emphasise the critical importance of its swift delivery to the people of Munster and the broader Irish economy. The case for immediate action on the N20-M20 project could not be clearer. The existing route is a relic of a bygone era, and is wholly inadequate for the demands of a modern economy. Every day that passes without progress on this motorway is another day that the commuters and families who pass through Mallow, Newtwopothouse, Buttevant, Ballyhea and Charleville endure the nightmare of heavy traffic thundering through their town and village centres. Lives are put at risk on a route that has well-documented safety deficiencies. The national development plan clearly identifies that the N20-M20 project is an essential piece of infrastructure.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, for his continued engagement. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who is also from Cork, is well aware of the situation in the county. I agree with the Minister of State that we have many no-shows and this unfortunate. It is important that the RSA comes back and offers young people the opportunity of late cancellation appointments. I know people who have cancelled in the past number of days and late appointments would have been accepted on that basis. That progress is encouraging and we must try to keep the momentum going to reduce the waiting lists.”
“He is really struggling to find this test in time because he will not be able to commute to and from his house to get that apprenticeship going. I am also dealing with a girl who sought and got a job for the summertime and unfortunately cannot travel. That is a real challenge. These are the real-life challenges that are there for these young people who are trying to get a test. I encourage the Minister of State to engage with the RSA again and to come back with a further update. I welcome the fact that there has been an increase in the number of testers in Cork but we need more.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his engagement on this matter and his public statement last week asking for the RSA to come back to him with further information on reducing these waiting lists. This is a particularly acute issue in Cork. We have more than 4,000 people waiting for a driving test in Mallow, 11,500 people waiting for a Wilton driving test, and more than 2,000 in Ballincollig and a further 2,000 people in Skibbereen waiting for a driving test. That is more than 20,000 people waiting. The Minister of State is right when he says we have young people who are on provisional licences and who need to have this test. One young fella came into my constituency office last week. He will start an apprenticeship at the end of September.”
“I ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 1 April 2025, to provide an update on the number of driving test assessors currently assigned to Cork; the number if the projected doubling of testers at the end of April was achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. It is a serious issue nationally but particularly acute in Cork.”
“I ask the Taoiseach about the N72, the main artery road from Waterford to Killarney. There is a section of that road in Meenskeha near Cullen in my constituency of Cork North-West in respect of which funding is sought from the Department of Transport and TII. We have received an allocation this year for phase one of €2.5 million. That has been completed in recent days and the money has been drawn down by Cork County Council. It is looking for more funding to do the phase two element. Cork County Council executives have written to the Department and TII seeking further funding. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would discuss that with the Department to see if we can get more funding as the year goes on.”