466. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given the labour market is tight and many enterprises are reporting skill shortages, the immediate steps his Department is taking to expand the occupations eligible for employment permits; the way in which processing times for permits are being improved; the supports which are in place for upskilling, reskilling and matching domestic l…
467. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum; the number of SMEs which have benefited to date from its aim of reducing the cost of running a business and addressing delays which can impact the operation of businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62205/25]
468. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following the launch of the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification to strengthen Ireland’s global trade resilience, the measurable steps which have been taken to help Irish exporters access new markets; the number of Irish-owned exporting companies that have been supported under this initiative; the monitoring which is in p…
469. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the level of capital investment allocated in 2025 under the tourism investment grant scheme; the way in which his Department ensures an equitable regional spread of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62207/25]
470. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific initiatives under way to upgrade tourism infrastructure to meet sustainability and climate targets, including investment in low-carbon transport links, green accommodation, and waste-reduction infrastructure at major visitor destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62208/25]
471. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Transport and local authorities to improve access infrastructure to major tourist regions, including public transport connections, signage and digital navigation tools; the funding which has been allocated to improve these linkages; and if he will make a statement on the matt…
687. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason his Department does not accept medical certificates issued by a private medical insurer (details supplied) for the purpose of an application for illness benefit; if he plans to change this rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62222/25]
688. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the carers allowance by two percent; in line with inflation; ten percent; 20 percent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62223/25]
689. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Laois who were in receipt of living alone allowance and subjected to a review by his Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62224/25]
690. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures his Department will take to support households facing increased energy and housing costs, particularly low-income and vulnerable groups; the number of persons that have benefitted to date from targeted schemes such as the fuel allowance and supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62225/25]
691. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families which have received the child support payment and working family payment supports to date in Laois in 2025; the measures which are being taken to ensure that all eligible families, particularly in rural or disadvantaged areas, access the supports; the steps which are being taken to reduce administrative barriers; and if he will m…
692. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to increase participation in the Activation and Family Support Programme, the Community Employment Programme, and other training and reskilling initiatives; the number of persons who have been assisted into employment to date in 2025; the way in which his Department is targeting supports to long-term unemployed; and i…
875. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider increasing the number of days for parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61514/25]
876. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children awaiting an assessment from a Children's Disability Network Teams in County Laois; the average waiting time for these assessments in County Laois; and the steps her Department will take to reduce these wait-times, particularly in rural counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61515/25]
877. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans and the timeframe for achieving a reduction in the average net cost of childcare to €200 per month per child under the national childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61516/25]
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 wi…
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…
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…
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 …
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]