William Aird

174. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an assessment of the expected duration of the current restrictions to the export of Irish livestock to mainland Britain, including whether they are considered temporary, seasonal, or likely to remain in place for a prolonged period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/26]

175. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessment that has been carried out regarding the economic impact of restrictions to the export of Irish livestock to mainland Britain on farmers and livestock exporters, particularly in relation to farm incomes, cashflow, and market access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/26]

256. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the retention of the free RSV vaccination programme for newborns, in view of the demonstrated benefits of the scheme for infant health and hospital admission prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35663/26]

257. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the inclusion of the medical condition asthma in the long term illness scheme, given that it is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management and medication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35664/26]

269. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for publication of the new national strategy on artificial intelligence skills and workforce development; and the measures being taken to ensure Ireland remains competitive in attracting high-value technology investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/26]

270. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to increase the number of training places in key professions experiencing workforce shortages, including healthcare, construction, engineering and advanced manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/26]

271. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made in expanding tertiary education pathways between further education and higher education institutions; and how these pathways will support regional access and lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/26]

272. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to strengthen Ireland's research and innovation capacity in response to increasing international competition for research investment and talent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35624/26]

273. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered to ensure that rapidly growing regional populations are matched by adequate higher and further education infrastructure, apprenticeship provision and student supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/26]

903. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to support generational renewal in farming, particularly in light of rising land, machinery and input costs facing young farmers seeking to enter the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35252/26]

904. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cumulative impact of the new TB testing rules introduced in April 2026, in conjunction with the current export restrictions, particularly in terms of additional costs, labour requirements, and movement limitations imposed on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35253/26]

905. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered proposals to recognise native honey bee hives as livestock units under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the suggestion that one hive of native Irish honey bees would constitute one livestock unit, with the first four units eligible for €500 per livestock unit and subsequent units for €250 each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/26]

906. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the new regulations granting the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers to compel price and market information; the reasons for the lead-in time before commencement; and the basis for excluding small businesses from the scope of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35255/26]

306. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth when it is expected that a school (details supplied) will progress from Stage 2A to Stage 2B of the Department’s School Building and Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33877/26]

479. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports available to community sports clubs in County Laois seeking funding for facility upgrades, including floodlighting, dressing rooms and all-weather pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/26]

480. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the additional supports being considered for local sports clubs facing increased operational and energy costs, particularly volunteer-led organisations in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/26]

481. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being put in place to support the sustainability of local and regional media outlets in light of changing advertising revenues and increased digital competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/26]

482. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress being made in expanding investment in community arts, cultural infrastructure and heritage projects outside major urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/26]

483. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the actions being taken to improve participation in sport and physical activity among young people, particularly in disadvantaged and rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33398/26]

70. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in implementing policies to reduce transport-related emissions, including measures to promote electric vehicles and sustainable mobility; and if he will outline any further initiatives planned in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31488/26]

71. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31489/26]

189. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures his Department is taking to promote active participation and social inclusion through the provision of income supports and employment services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31474/26]

190. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which his Department is currently developing and delivering cost-effective income supports and activation services for jobseekers and families; and if he will outline any planned reforms in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31475/26]

191. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the role of Intreo centres in delivering integrated employment and income supports; and the steps being taken to enhance access to these services nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/26]

192. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions being undertaken by his Department to prevent and detect fraud and abuse within the social protection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31477/26]