William Aird

482. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has engaged with local authorities regarding the expansion of urban speed limit zones and the introduction of transitional speed zones on approach roads to towns where future housing development is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56754/26]

483. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to establish a national vehicle-transition scheme similar to the ICE2EV pilot scrappage scheme; if he plans to introduce a long-term, sustainable programme to support motorists in moving from internal-combustion vehicles to electric alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56755/26]

766. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the income tax exemption threshold under the microgeneration support scheme from €400 to €600 per annum for households selling excess electricity back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56728/26]

767. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he intends to increase the standard rate income tax band in Budget 2027 to ensure that middle-income workers are not brought into the higher rate of income tax solely as a result of wage inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56729/26]

768. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the additional tax reliefs or incentives for working families under consideration as part of Budget 2027, including changes to existing tax credits, childcare-related tax measures or other family-focused reliefs designed to reduce the cost-of-living for middle-income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56730/26]

769. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to consider extending, expanding or introducing mortgage interest relief, renter tax relief or other housing-related tax measures in Budget 2027 to assist middle-income households facing high housing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56731/26]

770. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the tax measures being considered for inclusion in Budget 2027 to support middle-income families, including changes to income tax bands, tax credits, childcare supports and housing-related tax reliefs; the principles that will guide the Government's decisions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56732/26]

1012. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will review the current 50:50 employment permits rule as it applies to the nursing home sector; if he will consider introducing the necessary legislative amendments to provide greater workforce flexibility for nursing homes experiencing recruitment difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56722/26]

21. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide funding to ensure that STEM officers remain in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50253/26]

547. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the multi-annual Reform, MAR, pricing roadmap for nursing homes; when the next increase in the MAR threshold will be implemented; whether greater transparency will be provided regarding future adjustments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54575/26]

548. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the steps being taken to develop a national career pathway for healthcare assistants working in the nursing home sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54576/26]

549. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing targeted financial supports for private and voluntary nursing homes to assist with increased energy and fuel costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54577/26]

550. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether the residential environment enhancement scheme will be extended beyond 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54578/26]

551. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health when the Government intends to deliver on its Programme for Government commitment to introduce an equitable funding model or the nursing homes support scheme (fair deal); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54579/26]

552. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the development of a National Nursing Home Care Policy; the resources that have been allocated to support its preparation; the expected timeline for its publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54580/26]

553. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the process by which recipients of HSE-funded home support may request a change of home care provider; whether the HSE will introduce a clear national pathway to allow clients to transfer their HSE-funded home support hours from one approved provider to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54581/26]

554. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will consider facilitating recipients of HSE-funded home supports who wish to receive both their publicly-funded and privately-funded home care services from the same provider in order to improve continuity of care and reduce the number of carers entering their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54582/26]

616. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date in implementing Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors: National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023–2027; the actions undertaken to support the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure, trails and amenities nationwide; the funding allocated to support delivery of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54556/26]

617. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made in the delivery and expansion of the Broadband Connection Points initiative; the number of Broadband Connection Points currently operational in each county; the supports and thematic programmes being provided through these locations to improve digital skills, education, remote working and community connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54557/26]

618. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made in delivering the LEADER programme 2023–2027; the level of funding allocated to date to support rural enterprise development, job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects; the steps being taken to ensure that communities in all regions can access and benefit from this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54558/26]

619. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to support the continued regeneration of rural towns and villages through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme; the number of projects approved in the current funding cycle; the criteria used to assess applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54559/26]

620. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date in allocating the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund commitment under Project Ireland 2040; the total funding allocated, the number of projects supported, and the impact assessments undertaken in relation to the regeneration of rural towns and villages, addressing population decline and strengthening rural economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54560/26]

235. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications, places available and waiting lists for each of the 14 reading classes nationwide for each of the past five school years; whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of unmet demand for specialist reading classes for children with severe dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54247/26]

236. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made through the NCSE Parents Notify online portal in supporting early identification of demand for special education places; the steps being taken to ensure that information gathered through the portal informs timely decisions on the establishment of additional special classes and special school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54248/26]

237. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth how the Department and the NCSE are using the earlier notification process for special education places to plan for teacher, special needs assistant, accommodation and transport requirements for the 2027/2028 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54249/26]