William Aird

40. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the overall national allocation for the housing adaptation grant scheme for older people and people with disabilities, in view of significant demand, increasing costs, and the essential role these grants play in enabling people to live safely and independently in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35791/25]

66. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the current status of access to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatments for adult patients; if she will commit to ensuring equitable public reimbursement of therapies for adults living with SMA; considering the urgent need expressed by patient groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34829/25]

135. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to invest in cultural infrastructure in rural counties such as County Laois (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34380/25]

349. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health her plans for Stradbally health centre, Laois; if the centre will be considered for investment under the HSE Capital Plan 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35131/25]

165. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if he will introduce statutory leave entitlements for those undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF, and for those who experience early miscarriage, in light of the emotional, physical and financial burden involved; if he will support the passage and implementation of the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021, which proposes dedicated leave of ten days for fertility treatment and 20 days for early miscarriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34573/25]

94. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to include the Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass in the revised national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/25]

150. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider making the wearing of high-visibility jackets compulsory, as a road safety measure, for all pedestrians, cyclists and users of school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/25]

264. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to make provision for commercial testing for bus drivers as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34015/25]

479. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which he will support local and regional journalism in counties such as Laois, where local newspapers, media outlets and radio stations are vital but financially vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34381/25]

20. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the financial supports he will put in place to assist SMEs reduce their greenhouse emissions in line with Government targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/25]

33. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific timelines and performance indicators that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the recently announced small business unit, in simplifying access to grants and supports, ensuring SME input into legislation through the SME test, and enhancing Local Enterprise Office resourcing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32783/25]

184. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend the winter fuel allowance to people with physical disabilities to a year round free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32780/25]

252. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the number of local area hackney licences currently active in Ireland, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32765/25]

544. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a tenancy is voluntarily ended by the tenant will the landlord be entitled to increase the rent for new tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32764/25]

732. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when Acorn, the new managed child savings account, will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32766/25]

930. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce statutory leave entitlements for those undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF, and for those who experience early miscarriage, in light of the emotional, physical, and financial burden involved; if she will support the passage and implementation of the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 which proposes dedicated leave of ten days for fertility treatment and 20 days for early miscarriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32767/25]

115. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will use her discretion to prioritise increased funding for the UBU allocation to the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board, to provide much-needed essential targeted youth services and supports for young people in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30677/25]

262. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current waiting list for the warmer homes scheme in County Laois; how this compares to waiting lists in other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30636/25]

263. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if any new or expanded funding supports are planned to assist Laois County Council to develop district heating schemes as part of Ireland’s climate and energy goals; if he will provide details of any such commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30637/25]

264. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funds that have been provided to local authorities and approved housing bodies for initiatives aimed at reducing fuel poverty over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30638/25]

265. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will seek a solution to the increasing energy costs in Ireland; if there is potential for a cap for businesses that are now struggling to keep up with increasing energy bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/25]

382. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to prioritise the 1951 CIÉ superannuation scheme; if he will address the concerns of retired members of the scheme who have not received a pension increase since 2008; to consider the particular hardship these pensioners face, especially given that many are not entitled to the State pension due to their civil service terms of employment and PRSI contribution status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/25]

692. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will liaise with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to grant public-service status to school secretaries to enable them to have access to the single public pension service pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30646/25]

693. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) will be given DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30647/25]

957. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to support and promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities; the progress made under the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; the new initiatives planned to improve access to the workforce for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30644/25]