O’Shea Disappointed Bus Éireann will not Extend Age Limit for Larger School Transport Vehicles Cork North West TD calls for greater flexibility to address school transport driver shortages Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has expressed his disappointment that Bus Éireann has no plans to amend its upper age limit for drivers of larger vehicles operating under the School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann has, however, agreed to extend the upper age limit from 70 to 72 on a two-year trial basis for drivers of smaller vehicles carrying a maximum of eight passengers plus the driver. Deputy O’Shea said this is a welcome step, but will have very limited impact on the wider school transport capacity issue. “I welcome the decision by Bus Éireann to extend the age limit to 72 for drivers of smaller vehicles on a trial basis. However, I am very disappointed that Bus Éireann has no plans to amend the age limit for drivers of larger vehicles. “The reality is that most school transport services are operated using larger vehicles — generally 16-seater buses or larger. Therefore, this change will make little or no meaningful impact on the availability of drivers for the majority of school transport routes. “We have private bus operators who already allow suitably qualified and medically fit drivers over the age of 70 to operate larger passenger vehicles. I believe there is a strong case for Bus Éireann to adopt a more flexible, evidence-based approach, provided appropriate medical and safety requirements are fully met. More info here: johnpauloshea.ie/oshea-disap…

I was delighted to attend the sod turning for the new Kanturk Equine Assisted Therapy Centre, Regional Children’s Respite & Residential Centre in #Kanturk today. This is a hugely important development for children and families across Kanturk and the wider North Cork region. In particular, the provision of additional respite beds for children in our area, alongside new residential beds, will provide much-needed support for families and ensure that children who require these services can access them closer to home. The Equine Assisted Therapy Centre will also provide an important therapeutic resource, creating new opportunities for children and young people through a specialist and supportive environment. This is a significant investment in our local community and in the services available to children and families. I want to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this project to the sod-turning stage and I look forward to seeing the facility progress over the coming months. A very welcome development for Kanturk and North Cork. 👏 John Paul

Additional Parent's Leave for families welcoming multiple births or adopting more than one child at the same time should be given serious consideration, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said. Deputy O'Shea said there is a need to examine enhanced leave provisions for parents of twins, triplets and higher-order multiple births, as well as families adopting multiple children together. The current arrangements do not adequately reflect the additional demands placed on these families during the crucial first year of a child's life. For more information, visit finegael.ie

🤝 In my capacity as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I was delighted to attend the OECD Global Parliamentary Network Plenary Meeting in Paris this week. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Lots of meetings and discussions on Social Protection measures being delivered in the 38 member states across the OECD and such a strong focus on the development of the next Rural Development policies including our own in Ireland - 'Our Rural Future 2026-2030'. ☘️ It was also great to meet up with An Tanaiste Simon Harris TD and colleagues Senator Garret Ahearn & Barry Ward TD when they visited the OECD HQ and the Irish Embassy in Paris during the few days to celebrate the opportunity St. Patrick's Day offers to Ireland 🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️ John Paul

📢 Great news for Buttevant and Doneraile! I welcome the expansion of the CLÁR Programme for 2026, which now includes both communities among the areas eligible to apply for funding. 👏 This is a really positive development for North Cork. The CLÁR Programme supports practical projects that make a real difference in rural communities – including 🛝 playgrounds, ⚽ sports and recreational facilities, 👧 youth spaces, 🚶 walking tracks and other community amenities. There is €12 million in funding available nationally this year, and I would strongly encourage community groups in Buttevant, Doneraile and the surrounding areas to explore the opportunities now available. 💡 Local groups do incredible work in strengthening their communities, and this programme can help support and grow those efforts. 🤝 If your group has an idea for a project, I would encourage you to engage with Cork County Council about making an application. 📝 #Cork #CLÁR #RuralIreland