I am responding on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who, unfortunately, cannot be present today. On the Minister of State’s behalf, I welcome the opportunity to respond to this matter and thank Deputy O’Donoghue for his question. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. It is made up of the primary scheme, the post-primary scheme and the scheme for pupils with special educational needs. Bus Éireann officials have reported challenges in sourcing contractors and drivers nationally. A number of contractors have handed back contracts while, in some places, there have been no bids for contracts. Transport challenges are concentrated in some parts of the country, particularly Dublin, Galway, Meath and Kildare. A number of contractors in the east have ceased school transport operations in recent weeks. Bus Éireann is prioritising putting in place transport for eligible pupils as quickly as possible. It is important to state that both the Department and Bus Éireann acknowledge and appreciate the role of Oireachtas Members in making representations on behalf of their constituents, and recognise the role of Oireachtas Members in communicating ongoing developments regarding the provision of school transport across the country. The school transport scheme has expanded significantly in the past six years. In that time, the number of children and young people using the service has grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 179,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of 48%. A total of 1,549 routes were also tendered by Bus Éireann during the summer. In line with such scaling of operations, there has understandably also been an increase in representations. Bus Éireann has advised that representations received by it this year have increased by 50% compared to last year. Bus Éireann has a dedicated email address for public representatives and a dedicated customer service operation in place to assist members of the public seeking updates on their school transport applications and the operation of services more generally.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to update him on school transport. I remind him of the increase in the number of tickets issued for the 2025-26 school year to date, with an increase of 6% in tickets issued when compared to the same time last year. While Bus Éireann has reported challenges in sourcing contractors and drivers, not only for school transport but in the wider transport sector nationally, it indicates that a lot of progress has been made in sourcing transport for the majority of pupils. Looking forward to the next school year, 2026-27, a lot of work is being done to enhance the current operation to continue to improve technology and improve the customer experience further. It is recognised that the school transport scheme is vital to families in certain areas to support them in bringing their children to school. The availability of transport to school can be a critical component for children to access education. I want to reiterate the sheer volume of the scheme, with over 179,000 children transported daily in approximately 8,200 vehicles across 10,600 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million km annually. This is an issue in my own constituency, and every Member of this House can raise issues in this regard. While the Minister is trying to find solutions, there are challenges in trying to source contractors and, in particular, drivers. When I was on the other side of the House, I always said that we should raise the retirement age for school bus drivers to 70. People can drive an ordinary bus up to any age but school bus drivers have to retire when they are 65. We are looking at that and, hopefully, if it can happen, it will help the situation. I will ensure the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, keeps Deputy O'Donoghue updated on the issue he has raised.

Sentiment score: 0.31

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Calleary, who cannot be here. The wage subsidy scheme is a key disability employment support. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy. As of September 2025, there were 1,538 employers availing of the wage subsidy scheme and 2,445 employees supported through the scheme. Expenditure on the scheme was €23.46 million in 2025. Last year, the Department of Social Protection published a review of the wage subsidy scheme following a public consultation. The review made six recommendations and an additional €3.7 million has been allocated to implement the recommendations. In April 2024, the minimum number of hours for the scheme was reduced from 21 to 15. The scheme now includes employers in the community and voluntary sectors, as well as employers who employ certain people in receipt of the partial capacity benefit. One recommendation was to promote and increase awareness of the scheme to encourage a greater uptake among employers. In June of this year, the Minister launched the reformed scheme together with the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Foley, and Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. Following that, a media campaign was launched to raise awareness of this beneficial scheme. It ran for six weeks. It is hoped that the implementation of the recommendations of the review will result in an expansion of the scheme. The review also recommended that the subsidy rate be reviewed every three years. We reviewed the rate in the context of budget 2026 and provided an increase in the base rate of the wage subsidy from €6.30 to €7.50. This is an increase of over 19%. Almost 80% of employees are subsidised at the base rate. Previously, there were six rates of subsidy depending on the number employed under the scheme. The scheme was considered highly complex, difficult to communicate to employers and difficult to administer. It was decided to simplify it into three bands instead of six. All subsidy rates were increased in the budget. Employers with up to six employees under the scheme are to be paid the base rate of €7.50 per employee per hour from April 2026. Employers with seven to 16 employees are to be paid €8.50. Employers with 17 employees and more are to be paid €10 per employee. An employer who employs 25 or more active employees with a disability on the wage subsidy scheme is eligible for a grant towards the employment of an employment assistance officer. This role is to support and assist the relevant employees with their needs in employment. The grant is for €30,000 per year. There is a limit of five employment assistance officer positions in any one company. Seven companies received this funding. Based on the recent figures, 1,463 employers will receive the base rate, 18 will receive the middle rate and seven will receive the top rate. Budget 2026 has provided for a further expansion to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from the invalidity pension to the partial capacity benefit. The programme for Government commits to further review the minimum hours requirement under the wage subsidy scheme for disabled people and to examine an increase to the payment rate. These commitments are also reflected in the human rights strategy for disabled people, which the Government published recently.

Sentiment score: 0.21

We are committed to improving the wage subsidy scheme and supporting organisations employing more than one person under the scheme. The Department of Social Protection offers a range of other employment supports for disabled people and their employers. In July 2024, the Department launched the work and access scheme, which offers seven supports to improve access in the workplace for disabled people. Organisations and employers can apply for support in adapting the workplace, and can avail of disability, equality and inclusion training to gain a better awareness and understanding of disabilities in the workplace. This scheme is available to all non-public sector employers, including charities and voluntary organisations. In December 2023, the Department launched the WorkAbility programme to support people with disabilities into employment through 57 local, regional and national projects. The programme aims to support over 13,000 disabled people over five years. It is important that we work together across government to address the barriers to employment, to improve employment outcome for disabled people and to support employers. The Government recently launched the national human rights strategy for disabled people, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030. This strategy prioritises a cross-government approach. The Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will lead the employment pillar, with a focus on improving access to the workplace for all disabled people. I am very pleased that in budget 2026, we are able to increase the subsidy rates on the wage subsidy scheme and expand the eligibility for the scheme. I will bring the issues that the Deputy has raised to the attention of the Minister. I will ask him to respond directly to the Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.44

I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue, which I am dealing with on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. The Government acknowledges the vital role that family carers play in our society and remains fully committed to supporting them in that role. This commitment is reflected in both the programme for Government and the recent budget. The Department of Social Protection provides a comprehensive range of income supports for family carers, including carer’s allowance, the non-means-tested carer’s benefit, domiciliary care allowance and the carer’s support grant. In 2026 spending on these supports is expected to exceed €2.2 billion, with almost 103,000 carers currently receiving the carer’s allowance payment. Carer’s allowance is the main scheme through which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. It is a means-tested social assistance payment for people on low incomes who are providing full-time care to someone who requires ongoing support due to age, disability, or illness. The person being cared for must require full-time care and attention. As part of budget 2026 we are increasing the income disregard for a single person by €375 per week to €1,000. That is an increase of 60% and means that a single person who provides full-time care but does some part-time work can earn over €55,000 per year from that work and receive a full carer's payment. In parallel, we are also increasing the income disregard for a couple by 60% or €750 to €2,000 per week. These are the largest ever increases in the carer’s allowance income disregard and will mean that even people with what are considered to be relatively high incomes will qualify for a carer’s payment for the first time. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will still retain the full carer’s allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 a carer will retain a partial payment. We are also increasing the personal rates of payment for carer’s allowance, maternity benefit and other schemes by €10 from January. The Irish social welfare system is underpinned by the principle of one person, one payment. Ordinarily, individuals who qualify for more than one social welfare payment receive only the higher payment. However, there are limited exceptions, one of which is the half-rate carer’s allowance. This arrangement allows individuals in receipt of certain social welfare payments, who are also providing full-time care, to retain their main payment and receive a supplementary payment, subject to a means test, up to the value of a half-rate carer’s allowance. In the case outlined by the Deputy, a carer on maternity leave may be eligible to receive both the full weekly rate of maternity benefit at €289 and a half-rate carer’s allowance at €130, which is €419 per week. Therefore, in such circumstances, a carer goes from receiving a payment of €260 per week to €419 per week. This is an increase of €159 per week. Where the maternity benefit recipient has adult or child dependants, she may also qualify for an increase for a qualified adult €162 per week and child support payments of €50 per week for children under 12, or €62 for children aged 12 and over. Maternity benefit is compared to the rate of illness benefit, and the higher of the two is paid. When a carer goes on maternity leave, the Department increases the payment made to that person by paying out both the full rate of maternity benefit along with a half-rate carer’s allowance. This Government has committed to improving supports for carers and those they care for and the significant changes to the means test for carer’s allowance announced in last week’s budget clearly demonstrate that commitment.

Sentiment score: 0.33

I thank Deputy Moynihan again for raising this matter. The Government recognises the complexity of caring roles and the reality that many carers continue to provide full-time care while navigating other life events, including maternity leave. As I said in my opening remarks, this Government has committed to improving support for carers and those they care for. The significant changes to the means test for carer's allowance announced in last week's budget clearly demonstrate that commitment. The programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improve the supports available to family carers. These include a commitment to continue to increase the carer's support grant and to progressively increase weekly carer's support payments. It also clearly sets out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregard for carer's allowance in each budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government. We have already made progress in this regard, including in the recent budget. In addition to the changes to the carer's allowance disregard, as part of budget 2026 we are also increasing the rates of maternity benefit and carer's allowance by €10 per week from January. I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to keep the range of income supports available to both carers and those availing of the maternity benefit under review so that the overall objectives of the scheme and the Department are met. I will bring the very valid issues Deputy Moynihan raised to the attention of the Minister for Social Protection and will ask if they can be included in the forthcoming social welfare Bill. I am sure the Deputy will also raise it with the Minister himself but he will have our support on that.

Sentiment score: 0.55

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Burke for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. Varicella is a common and highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus is associated with two distinct clinical syndromes, namely, varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, and herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Primary infection with the varicella zoster virus results in varicella, after which the virus becomes latent in the body’s nervous system. The virus may reactivate after a period, sometimes several decades later, resulting in herpes zoster or shingles. Morbidity associated with herpes zoster increases with age. The most common complication is neuralgia, which is a persistent pain in the area of the rash. This has the potential to cause significant reductions in quality of life, activity, mood and sleep. It is estimated that one third of people who have had a varicella infection will develop a shingles infection at some point during their lifetime due to reactivation of the virus. Two thirds of cases occur in those aged 50 years and older. Currently, a non-live, recombinant shingles vaccine called Shingrix is available in Ireland and is administered as a two-dose vaccine. Shingrix is more effective than the previously available live vaccine, Zostavax, and can be safely administered to immunocompromised patients. Internationally, Shingrix has also replaced Zostavax as the preferred vaccine against shingles. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee guidelines state that the Shingrix vaccine may be considered in those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease and neuralgia in this age group, and in those aged 18 years and older at an increased risk of shingles. It should be noted that in advance of any change in policy, the Minister can request that HIQA carry out an evaluation of the impacts of a potential policy change. HIQA has a statutory remit under the Health Act 2007 to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, providing advice to the Minister for Health on budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. These evaluations take the form of health technology assessments, HTAs. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner. The use of the HTA facility assists decision-makers in assessing the merits and potential shortcomings of a new health technology, policy or service, based on accurate and reliable evidence. The Minister for Health advises that following a request from her Department, HIQA carried out a HTA on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. The HTA examined the evidence on the safety and clinical effectiveness of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, in addition to the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation scheme. HIQA's HTA was published on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that including the shingles vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost-effective and would have a substantial budgetary impact. While the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost-effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost-effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccine was reduced by 80%. Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process. The Department has considered the findings of this HTA and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable.

Sentiment score: 0.11

I thank the Deputy once again for raising this important matter. Vaccination is recognised as one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions that can be employed, promoting good health and saving many lives year on year. As has already been highlighted today, shingles can impact anyone who has been infected with chicken pox during their life, leaving a significant proportion of the general population vulnerable. Up to one in three people who have had chicken pox will go on to have shingles. It is for this reason that the Department requested that HIQA carry out a HTA to review the evidence for adding shingles vaccination to the adult immunisation schedule in Ireland. It is hoped that the introduction of the shingles vaccination to the immunisation schedule can be reconsidered if and when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable. The Deputy will be aware that the immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of NIAC. The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. To protect the public from serious outcomes of diseases, vaccines which are included in the national immunisation programme are administered free of charge to those who are in eligible at-risk groups. More generally, I urge all those who are eligible for any vaccine under the national immunisation programme at all stages of life to avail of the opportunity to be vaccinated. The discussion here today is timely as the HSE launched flu and Covid-19 vaccination programmes earlier this month. All who are eligible for the free vaccine should make their appointment to receive it. In addition, I encourage all parents to bring their young infants, in line with the primary childhood immunisation schedule, to the GP for their important childhood immunisations. Babies born during the RSV season are eligible for RSV immunisation and will be offered immunisation at the relevant maternity hospital. These measures will help us reach the shared objective of protecting public health by preventing the spread of disease in our community.

Sentiment score: 0.29

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ward for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, who unfortunately could not be here this afternoon. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members of the House on his behalf. I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the proposal to create a continuous 22 km waterfront promenade and cycleway connecting Sutton to Sandycove. As he is aware, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the provision of funding and setting of policy in relation to active travel, while the National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the allocation of this funding to projects at local authority level and overseeing their delivery. The significant increase in funding for walking and cycling infrastructure projects in recent years is welcome. Approximately €290 million was provided to the NTA's active and sustainable transport programme this year alone, supporting projects in every local authority. A continuation of this high level of investment was confirmed in the recent budget. The Sutton to Sandycove cycleway, also commonly referred to as the east coast trail, is a long-standing proposal to deliver a world-class active travel corridor that celebrates Dublin's coastal heritage while supporting national objectives around sustainable mobility, climate action and placemaking. Its alignment has been under development for over two decades. Despite the incremental nature of its progress, the project remains a strategic priority for both the NTA and the Department of Transport and much has been delivered to date. The route begins in Sutton, which the Deputy will probably know, where a two-way cycle facility is provided along the waterfront, traversing Dublin Road, Howth Road, James Larkin Road, and Clontarf Road. From there, it branches onto Alfie Byrne Road and continues toward Dublin Port. A protected two-way cycle facility connects Alfie Byrne Road to the recently completed East Wall Road scheme. While a short section at the eastern end of East Wall Road remains incomplete, Dublin City Council is actively developing proposals to close this gap. Once delivered, this section will link into phase 2 of the Dublin Port greenway, currently under construction, which will connect East Wall Road to the East Link. To facilitate safe and direct passage across the River Liffey, Dublin City Council is preparing designs for The Point pedestrian and cycle bridge. This new crossing, located west of the existing Tom Clarke Bridge, will provide a segregated route for pedestrians and cyclists and will link into the cycle infrastructure planned under the Ringsend to city centre BusConnects corridor. South of the river, the route continues along Pembroke Cottages, into Ringsend Park and onto Strand Road, where a trial of a two-way cycle facility is anticipated, subject to funding. From Strand Road, the trail transitions onto Merrion Road, which is scheduled for upgrades under BusConnects, before reaching the recently completed two-way cycleway along Rock Road. This section, delivered by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, leads into Blackrock Park. At Blackrock DART station, the Deepwell section of the cycleway is currently in design. Its delivery is contingent on ongoing discussions with landowners. Continuing southward, the route follows a quietway along Idrone Terrace, leading to a contraflow lane on Maretimo Terrace. This connects to the coastal mobility route. The outstanding sections of the alignment are active projects and are being progressed through various stages of planning, design and delivery. While timelines may vary depending on funding, statutory approvals and local conditions, it is anticipated that most of the route will be completed by 2030. This target reflects both the ambition and the complexity of the project, which spans multiple jurisdictions and requires co-ordinated action across agencies and sectors. This cycleway represents a transformative opportunity for Dublin’s communities. It will enhance local and regional connectivity, support modal shift away from private car use, and contribute to the creation of vibrant, liveable public spaces. As the project continues to evolve, collaboration between local authorities, transport agencies and community stakeholders will be essential to realising its full potential.

Sentiment score: 0.24

I definitely hear the Deputy's frustration. I am delivering the script that was handed to me. I know that active travel and these greenways are very important for people's health and everything. In this context, I want to say that over €360 million of grant support for the active travel and greenways networks for next year was committed in the recent budget. This funding helps support projects like the Sutton to Sandycove, S2S, cycleway, which I recognise is very important to the local residents on the route as well as the wider community. As outlined, this cycleway has seen significant progress through a series of schemes delivered under the active travel programme. The NTA, working in close partnership with local authorities, remains firmly committed to completing the outstanding sections of this strategic corridor. Continued support will be provided to local authorities to advance these projects, subject to the availability of funding and alignment with national transport and climate objectives. Once completed, the route will serve as a landmark amenity for residents and visitors alike, offering a unique opportunity to experience Dublin’s coastline in a safe, active and environmentally conscious way. Realising this vision has required, and will continue to require, collaboration across Government Departments, local authorities, community groups and political representatives. Public support for the project is strong, reflecting a growing appetite for high quality active travel infrastructure and a more liveable urban environment. The Department of Transport recognises the importance of funding our active travel network, including the Sutton to Sandycove cycleway, to provide safe, interconnected networks that facilitate and encourage sustainable transport in people’s everyday lives. I trust this clarifies the current position with regard to this particular cycleway. I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to discuss the matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport and I will convey his points on this issue to the Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.59