William Aird

878. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures which will be introduced in the next twelve months to reduce childcare costs for families; the way in which he will ensure the quality of the sector is maintained while cost pressures ease for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61517/25]

879. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children with disabilities or additional needs which are participating in the Access and Inclusion Model across early learning and childcare settings in County Laois; the trends year-on-year; the further measures which are planned to increase inclusion in mainstream early years for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61518/25]

880. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the first quarter-by-quarter milestone commitments which are under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 2030; the way in which her Department will monitor progress; the resourcing in place to ensure the strategy delivers for people with disabilities in terms of employment, independent living and full participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61519/25]

881. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether foster carers allowance can be used to qualify persons for a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61520/25]

882. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the investment and actions her Department will take to strengthen prevention and early intervention services for children and families, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, trauma or adversity; the number of new community-based programmes which will be funded in the next year; the way in which outcomes will be evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61521/25]

153. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the National Retrofit Plan, specifically regarding the targets of retrofitting 500,000 homes and installing 400,000 heat pumps by 2030; the steps being taken to accelerate these initiatives; the means by which his Department propose to address the projected shortfall in heat pump installations, which may not meet the 2042 target under current trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60531/25]

154. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of Ireland’s offshore wind energy projects, particularly the 5 GW target for 2030; the measures being taken to expedite planning, consenting, and grid connection processes to meet this goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60532/25]

155. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to address Ireland’s preparedness for the stricter EU air quality standards set to take effect in 2030; the actions being taken to meet these targets and reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55 percent, as outlined in the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60533/25]

852. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on when a new school building (details supplied) will be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59607/25]

853. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on when an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) will be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59608/25]

868. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the implementation of the 'Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028'; which of the 18 priority actions have been commenced; the budgetary allocation for same; the way in which youth services are being increased in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59795/25]

869. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the availability of school places in County Laois for children with autism; the number of children currently without a school place in the county; her future plans to streamline the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59797/25]

870. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department is taking to address the current shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in DEIS, special education, and Gaeltacht schools; the incentives or supports being considered to improve retention; when she expects to see a reduction in unfilled teaching positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59798/25]

871. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the scale of school absenteeism since the COVID-19 pandemic, by DEIS and non-DEIS schools; the specific actions in place to reduce absenteeism, especially among children under six; when the promised new DEIS+ scheme will be published and implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59799/25]

872. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the means by which her Department is tracking progress on the 100+ actions in Education Plan 2025, particularly those involving education therapy and school transport services; the benchmarks being used; the means by which the Department plans to resource delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59800/25]

175. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health when a contract of employment for the position of assistant director of nursing post in Kildare west Wicklow mental health services will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57477/25]

176. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if any recruitment embargos that were in place across the HSE have been lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57478/25]

197. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which Ireland’s Action Plan on Market Diversification will reduce the country’s over-reliance on key trading partners such as the US, UK and EU; the concrete benchmarks and timelines for its implementation and success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57145/25]

198. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the risk to Irish exports given ongoing tensions in transatlantic trade for example, US tariff threats and supply-chain disruptions; the contingency strategies his Department has developed to shield Irish businesses from sudden shocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57146/25]

32. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access to higher education for all students given the ongoing accommodation crisis and rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55957/25]

377. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a list of projects in County Laois allocated funding by his Department in each of the last three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55979/25]

378. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether the increase in the community centre investment fund to €20 million, as announced in Budget 2026, will extend to new builds, or be limited to refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55980/25]

379. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he expects the review of the eligibility criteria of CLAR to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55981/25]

143. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to safeguard Irish farm competitiveness in the face of ongoing EU trade negotiations, including Mercosur, the EU-UK agreement, and US tariff policies on Irish agriculture; if he will request mandatory safeguards to prevent Irish beef, dairy, and tillage producers being undermined by imports produced to lower standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55029/25]

743. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is supporting dairy and beef farmers to manage increased volatility in global markets, while also preparing for future carbon reduction obligations; and if further income-stabilisation measures or risk-management tools are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55098/25]