O’Shea Welcomes Picker Pals Roll-Out to Classrooms across Cork North West

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the continued expansion of Picker Pals, the free primary-school programme that gets children leading family litter-picks and learning about biodiversity and the circular economy.

Backed this year by nearly €380,000 in Government funding, Picker Pals will reach 966 classrooms nationwide, empowering over 24,000 children (and an estimated 36,000 family members) to take practical action in their communities. Since its launch, children involved have collected over 900 tonnes of litter across Ireland.

Deputy O’Shea said “Cork North West is a proud, close-knit constituency — from Charleville to Doneraile and Kanturk to Newmarket and onto Millstreet and Macroom and Ballingeary—our schools are at the heart of that community spirit. Picker Pals is a brilliant, hands-on way to nurture pride of place, get families outdoors together, and keep our roads, rivers, and villages cleaner. I want to see every eligible classroom in Cork North West with a Picker Pack this year.”

Delivered in Ireland by VOICE (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment), Picker Pals provides a classroom kit (“Picker Pack”) and monthly lessons covering litter, biodiversity, the circular economy and active travel—plus live online sessions, quizzes and “Picker Pals TV”. The programme is free to schools and includes Booster Boxes for returning schools to reuse equipment while getting fresh materials.

Deputy O’Shea added “If you’re teaching in a school in Cork North West—or a parent on a Green Schools committee—get in touch and we’ll help you connect with the Picker Pals team. Small actions add up: cleaner verges, tidier town parks and a new generation who don’t drop litter in the first place.”