School Funding

68. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding available for a post-primary school (details supplied) in a disadvantaged rural area travelling to China as part of an educational delegation, the first school in the West of Ireland to do so, to support the costs of the trip. [69162/26]

Social Welfare Payments

524. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider allowing family carers who are aged over 66 years and are in receipt of a State Pension to receive the full-rate carers acknowledging the care they provide is the same as care provided by a carer younger than them and supporting them as they age to keep their loved one at home, significantly saving the State; and if he will advise the cost to implement this for current recipients. [68882/26]

Budget 2027

429. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will increase capitation for primary schools to better support them meet rising operational costs in Budget 2027. [68935/26]

Rail Network

155. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure an earlier train service for students and patients travelling to Sligo from Boyle in County Roscommon. [66979/26]

State Pensions

27. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement he has had on providing a State pension for foster carers; and the timeframe on this. [66968/26]

Social Welfare Benefits

23. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he is taking to ensure access for the self-employed to income support when they become ill. [66974/26]

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-23

Deputy Claire Kerrane I hope the Minister of State has listened very carefully to the many speakers in this House. I have sat in for most of the debate and I think it is clear from Members of the Opposition, as well as her own party and Government backbenchers, that this Bill does not actually deal with the nub of the issue. If the issue in terms of assessments of need was that we have far too many children on the waiting list who do not actually need to be on the waiting list and we need to re

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-22

Deputy Claire Kerrane I hope the Minister will consider the Sinn Féin legislation being debated here this evening to reduce the cost of home heating oil. The households of the vast majority of the people I represent, the people of Roscommon and Galway, use home heating oil. As we approach the budget, there will be a lot of focus on the fuel allowance. The fuel allowance is well and good for those who receive it. It is a help to them. However, the vast majority of working people do not receive t