William Aird

278. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the plans, timeline and budgetary measures for upgrading Portlaoise Train Station and associated facilities (including accessibility, parking, and passenger amenities) to support increased rail usage and regional connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/26]

279. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the latest safety statistics for the M7 and M8 corridors passing through County Laois; the targeted safety improvements planned; when these will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3145/26]

280. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the current status of planned upgrades and resurfacing works on the N80 and N77 regional roads in County Laois; the expected timeframe and budgetary measures for commencement and completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/26]

281. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure in County Laois, along key commuter routes and in towns such as Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Abbeyleix; his plans to support the transition to low-emission transport in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/26]

282. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the specific supports planned to strengthen rural transport services (including Local Link) in the Laois region; how funding allocations for 2026 compare to 2025; the position regarding enhancing rural mobility for older and economically disadvantaged residents in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3148/26]

283. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop an integrated transport hub in Portlaoise that links rail, bus and active travel facilities; the engagement that has taken place with Laois County Council and local stakeholders; the expected benefits for sustainable regional transport in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/26]

284. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding planned active travel (cycling and walking infrastructure) improvements in towns and villages in County Laois; the timeline and budgetary measures allocated for these works in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3150/26]

285. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he has quantified the potential reduction in daily commuter traffic to Dublin that would result from stronger remote working rights; the associated benefits for road safety, congestion, and emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3151/26]

286. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will carry out an urgent review of the Greenway Code of Practice involving all stakeholders, in light of concerns about consultation, compensation, and compulsory purchase orders; if he will ensure that future Greenway development protects property rights, rural livelihoods, and community wellbeing; the measures to improve transparency, engagement, and public confidence in these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/26]

311. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the €14,000 tax-free rental income relief to include rental arrangements involving family members, in recognition of current housing pressures and the need to support intergenerational living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/26]

434. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current treatment of part-time school bus drivers under the social welfare system; the reason drivers who are in continuous employment during the school term do not receive equivalent supports, such as the two-week break payment and the Christmas bonus; the measures being considered to ensure fair recognition of part-time school bus drivers, who provide essential services across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3135/26]

435. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the feasibility of establishing a non–means-tested audiology support pathway for people born deaf, in recognition of the substantial recurring cost of hearing aids which is not met by the current treatment benefit scheme approximately €5,800 per person every five to seven years; if his Department will consider expanding supports to prevent families from incurring lifetime costs to access sound exceeding €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3136/26]

436. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities in 2026, in light of the withdrawal of once-off supports such as the €400 disability support grant and energy credits in Budget 2026; if he has assessed the impact of these withdrawn supports on people with disabilities who may now be up to €1,400 worse off; and if he will reinstate targeted energy credits for those at heightened risk of energy poverty, pending the introduction of a permanent Cost of Disability payment in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3137/26]

437. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection to amend the fuel allowance eligibility criteria for recipients over 66 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3138/26]

438. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to enhance and expand social welfare and Intreo services in County Laois to ensure timely access for claimants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3139/26]

439. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake of back to work enterprise allowance, community employment, and other activation programmes in County Laois; and the steps being taken to increase participation among long-term unemployed individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/26]

440. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the current processing times for disability allowance, carer’s allowance and domiciliary care allowance applications in County Laois; and the actions being taken to reduce delays for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/26]

441. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives underway to assist older people in County Laois in accessing pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/26]

945. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps being taken to accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure and housing in line with the recommendations of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan; the way in which these reforms will be prioritised for the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1873/26]

996. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports being considered for small and medium-sized enterprises in rural towns such as Abbeyleix, Mountmellick, Mountrath and Portarlington, particularly in light of rising operational costs and recruitment challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1867/26]

997. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of IDA and Enterprise Ireland client visits to County Laois in the past 12 months; the progress on securing new investment for the National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise; the strategy for increasing foreign direct investment in the Midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1868/26]

998. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available to tourism-related enterprises in County Laois, including those connected to heritage, outdoor recreation and hospitality; if additional measures are planned to strengthen the county’s tourism economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1870/26]

999. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has assessed the potential of stronger remote working legislation to retain graduates and skilled workers in counties such as Laois; if this forms part of the Government’s regional enterprise strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1871/26]

1000. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken to address rising business costs in the midlands region, particularly labour, energy, and water costs; if specific supports will be introduced to safeguard competitiveness for local enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1872/26]

1001. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which his Department is supporting local authorities and tourism agencies in developing infrastructure to host major cultural and sporting events, including facilities upgrades, accommodation expansion and accessibility improvements; if he will outline the midlands' preparedness for upcoming international events in 2026 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1876/26]