Local Authorities

53. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide an update on a Section 50 application by Cork County Council (details supplied). [69222/26]

School Staff

400. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she is aware that the new initiative allowing newly qualified teachers to secure contracts of indefinite duration may disadvantage experienced teachers who have worked continuously for several years but have not yet secured permanent or fixed-term positions; and whether consideration will be given to extending similar opportunities to teachers with several years’ service who are currently reliant on substitute work. [6854

School Staff

396. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a teacher will be added to her Department's payroll and commence receiving their salary; the reason for the delay; and whether payment of any outstanding salary can be expedited. [68476/26]

School Transport

446. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will extend a post primary school transport route to collect a student (details supplied) who is attending a special class from her house. [68975/26]

Departmental Data

526. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, by county, for each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [68951/26]

Energy Policy

618. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his Department's input into the regulatory framework governing the biomethane sector in Ireland; to outline the actions his Department is responsible for within that framework; and to provide an update on its progress. [68685/26]

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-24

Deputy John Paul O'Shea I recently met Family Carers Ireland at its regional meeting in Cork. I know that Members right across this House have met many family carers and associations associated with caring in recent weeks. We should recognise that caring in itself is a hugely valuable contribution to society. I commend the Minister and the Government on the progress they made last year but I do not want us to stop here. Let us use budget 2027 to take another significant step forward by increasi

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-24

Deputy John Paul O'Shea I thank the Minister. The contribution carers make cannot be measured simply in financial terms but we should recognise the work of family carers also represents an enormous contribution to the State and to our public services. I also acknowledge the progress the Government has made in supporting carers. In particular I welcome the very significant increase in the income disregards for carer's allowance introduced last year. That was an important step in recognising the

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-24

Deputy John Paul O'Shea I agree with Deputy Wall on the domiciliary care allowance. We agreed at the committee yesterday to block off a bit of time to discuss that and prepare a report for the Minister. I take this opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution made by family carers across the country. Every day, carers provide love, support and care to family members who depend on them. They allow people to remain at home and part of their communities to live life with dignity. I am