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 ask the Taoiseach for an update on the M20 Cork to Limerick project. Limerick City and County Council published a transport solution for the project in March 2022 and subsequently published updates in February and November 2023 and June 2024. The dual carriageway will comprise over 100 km of safe shared active travel pathways connecting communities from Blarney to Patrickswell, encompassing towns in my area of Charleville and Buttevant and villages like Ballyhea and New Twopothouse. There will be transport hubs, EV charging points and freight hubs along the way. The project will facilitate essential public transport options, including the opportunity for quicker intercity express bus services and improved efficiencies on existing bus services serving communities between Cork and Limerick.”
“Could the Minister provide me with an update on the 243 bus service from Newmarket to Cork city? The NTA published a consultation on this in October 2023 and there was good feedback from the community regarding it but we have been waiting for the NTA and Bus Éireann to make an announcement on the proposed service. Many people in my area are looking for an enhanced service. There is an enhanced proposal but the NTA has not finalised it. We are looking for an update on that as quickly as possible.”
“It is all online now and trying to get planning permission and other arrangements in place can be hugely difficult for those communities. I welcome the fact the Minister of State is open to taking some of our suggestions on board over the next couple of months.”
“It is good to see that a date has been set for spring 2026 for an announcement of the next round of funding. A lot of clubs that were not successful this time around will be waiting in anticipation. They will have the opportunity to prepare now in terms of planning permission and getting themselves in train to prepare for the application process itself. It is a tough application process, there is no doubt about it. It was reviewed previously and I welcome the fact the Department is going to review it further with a view to simplifying it more for applicants. That is particularly important in the context of Deputy Burke's point about disadvantaged areas. It is hugely important that we try to assist those communities with the application process because it is difficult.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is great there will be further investment in the wider sport area in the lifetime of this Government, especially in 2025-2026. On the sports capital allocations, it is good that appeals from County Cork have been dealt with and a number have been successful. The ones that were unsuccessful will be able to bid again in 2026, as the Minister of State said. It is important this round of funding is completed and that we prepare for the next round of funding, which is important to clubs. The amount of investment in our towns and villages has been remarkable. It has been seen the length and breadth of Cork North-West and the country.”
“As this is my first opportunity to speak in the Dáil, I wish to say a huge thanks to the people of Cork North-West for putting their faith in me and voting me in to this House for the next five years. I look forward to representing them as best I can. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, neighbours, relations and all the Fine Gael family who supported me throughout the campaign. It is very much appreciated. I wish to ask the Minister for sport for an update on the sports capital grant appeals for County Cork and if he will provide a statement on the matter.”