William Aird

1035. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when this care pathway is expected to be published, if she will confirm whether patient advocacy organisations (details supplied) will be included in both the development and implementation of the pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22445/26]

1036. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if her Department intends to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, in light of concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the application of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema, and practices that may result in patients being forced to rely on the Cross-Border Directive for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22444/26]

1052. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking ahead of the next academic year to expand affordable student accommodation, particularly in light of rising cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22128/26]

1053. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made towards meeting the Government’s apprenticeship targets for 2026; the sectors in which new apprenticeship programmes will be launched in 2026; and the measures being taken to increase employer participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22129/26]

1054. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which Springboard+, HCI Pillar 1 and other upskilling initiatives will be expanded in 2026 to support workers transitioning from sectors affected by technological change and climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/26]

1055. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of Ireland’s participation in Horizon Europe as the programme enters its final phase; the actions being taken to increase the success rate of Irish researchers and institutions; and the expected timeline for forthcoming funding calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22131/26]

1056. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for 2026 to enhance regional access to further education and training through ETBs; the investment being made in new campuses, digital learning infrastructure and community-based provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22132/26]

1057. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to prepare regional economies, including the Midlands, for the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22133/26]

1058. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to sustain the education, skills and regional innovation initiatives in the Midlands that have been supported under the EU Just Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22134/26]

1075. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the status of projects approved under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in 2025; the expected timelines for commencement and completion in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/26]

1076. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to ensure long-term funding stability for community organisations and voluntary groups, particularly those providing essential social supports in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/26]

1077. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made in expanding the connected hubs network; the number of additional remote working hubs expected to come online in 2026; the steps being taken to improve digital infrastructure to support remote working in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/26]

1078. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the actions his Department is taking, in collaboration with other Departments and agencies, to improve access to essential services in rural areas, including transport links, community facilities and digital services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22472/26]

1079. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the status of Rural Regeneration and Development Fund applications relating to County Laois; the expected timelines for delivery of approved projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22473/26]

1080. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the supports available in 2026 for community centres and voluntary groups in County Laois seeking capital or operational funding; the measures being taken to ensure continuity of essential community services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/26]

1081. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to support rural communities in the Slieve Bloom area of County Laois, including investment in outdoor recreation, walking trails, and community infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22475/26]

127. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a compensation scheme for farmers who suffer verified financial losses as a result of dog attacks on livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/26]

1289. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the provision of a women's refuge in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19014/26]

1290. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he intends to overhaul the free legal aid system currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19015/26]

1291. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will remove the means test for access to civil legal aid in cases concerning domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19016/26]

1292. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the additional block extension at Midlands prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19017/26]

1293. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the next recruitment campaign for prison officers will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19018/26]

1434. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the 2024 and 2025 expenditure for forestry and bioenergy-related programmes under Vote 30; whether any underspends occurred in these areas compared with original allocations; to provide the value and reasons for any such underspends; the steps being taken to ensure the full drawdown and delivery of funding in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19022/26]

1435. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 29 January 2026, to provide a cost for payment of TB compensation rates that fully reflect current market valuations to the farmers whose animal valuations (approximately 9% of TB reactors) are above the current compensation levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19023/26]

1436. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the 2024 and 2025 expenditure for agri-environmental schemes under Vote 30; to detail whether any underspends occurred in these areas compared with the original allocations; to outline the specific schemes involved; the reasons for the underspend; the number of participants affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19024/26]