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 b…
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 p…
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such as the €400 disability support grant and energy credits in Budget 2026; if he has assessed the impact of these withdrawn supports on people with disabilities who may now be up to €1,400 worse off; and if he will re…
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 …
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…
William Aird
Written
13 Jan 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
2566. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €35 million ringfenced skills package announced in Budget 2026 will be allocated to meet the most acute needs of employers in the midlands; if governance reforms to the National Training Fund will be introduced to give employers a stronger role in directing expenditure towards industry’…
2633. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to expand or enhance remote working hubs in County Laois; the way in which these initiatives are contributing to balanced regional development and reducing commuting pressures on workers in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/26]
44. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to establish a local, nurse-led respite facility in County Laois, where children with complex medical needs can access safe, medically appropriate overnight care; if so, the way in which such provision aligns with the National Policy on Palliative Care for Children, 2009, the National Needs Assessment 2013, and the Children’…
411. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment he status of the current review of the critical skills occupation list and the ineligible occupations list; the extent to which submissions from the agri-food sector, including those relating to the role of dairy farm assistant, are being considered; and when the final recommendations from this review are expected to be published; and …
412. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the quota of 1,100 general employment permits for dairy farm assistants which was exhausted in November 2025; if his Department intends to extend this quota or consider removing the role from the ineligible occupations list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72415/25]
873. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the safeguards currently in place to verify the age of asylum seekers presenting as unaccompanied minors; the reason almost 200 individuals placed in Tusla children’s accommodation since 2022 were subsequently found to be adults; the risk this poses to vulnerable children in State care; and whether she plans to introduce a more robust a…
874. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in light of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028, the key changes made to the regulations as a result of the public consultation earlier in 2025; the supports and guidance that will be made available to childminders during the three-year transition period before registration with Tusla becomes mandatory; and if she will m…
875. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in light of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028, the measures in place to ensure parents are aware of the new regulations and the safeguards they provide for children; her plans to monitor and evaluate the impact of the new regulations on childminding services, child safety, and quality assurance during the transition pe…
876. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress achieved over the past 12 months on each childcare-related commitment in the Programme for Government, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72541/25]
877. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality his plans to further strengthen AIM in the 2025-2026 programme year to ensure children with disabilities can fully participate in pre-school education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72542/25]