334. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider providing funding for the local improvement scheme on a multi annual basis; to ensure local authorities who administer the scheme can deliver them in a more efficient and cost-effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38345/26]
629. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the €373 million allocated under the 2026 Second-Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme; how this compares in percentage terms with the €290 million drawn down in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/26]
630. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the €150 million is ring-fenced to support households exiting long-term homeless accommodation will be allocated among local authorities; the criteria that will apply; the number of exits from homelessness that are projected under this funding stream in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/26…
631. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail how the €50 million allocated to approved housing bodies for the provision of accommodation for elderly persons, persons with disabilities and care leavers will be distributed; the output targets associated with this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37631/26]
632. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the €157 million available at the discretion of local authorities may be utilised, including for tenancy sustainment and tenant-in-situ acquisitions; the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure value-for-money and alignment with national housing priorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37632/26]
633. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria that will govern access to the contingency fund of approximately €16 million; the way in which local authorities may apply for additional allocations; whether this funding is expected to be fully drawn down in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37633/26]
634. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the rationale for authorising local authorities to commit up to 30% of their 2026 base allocation for acquisitions that may only complete in 2027; the way in which this multi-annual approach supports pipeline planning and delivery certainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/26]
635. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the eligibility criteria for tenant-in-situ acquisitions retained from 2025; and the justification for the additional condition disallowing such acquisitions where a household has refused a reasonable offer of local authority or approved housing body accommodation following receipt of a notice of termination; and if he will make a …
636. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment that has been undertaken regarding the balance between reliance on second-hand acquisitions as a last-resort measure and the delivery of newly built social housing; whether projected increases in social housing construction are expected to reduce future reliance on acquisitions programmes; and if he will make a state…
88. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to allowing farmers who are currently below slurry storage compliance requirements to access support under the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, specifically for the purpose of achieving compliance; the pathways available for young qualified farmers and newly established farm partnerships in…
121. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position of the Government in relation to proposals emerging at EU level for the next CAP post 2027, particularly concerns regarding a reduction or restructuring of direct farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35069/26]
170. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the current position regarding restrictions affecting the export of Irish livestock to mainland Britain; and to provide a clear timeline for when these restrictions are expected to be reviewed, eased, or lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35395/26]
171. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify, given that livestock movements to Northern Ireland have resumed under specific protocols, the reason similar arrangements have not yet been fully established for exports to mainland Britain; and whether the Department is working to introduce equivalent pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35396/26]
172. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the precise animal health protocols currently required for the export of livestock to mainland Britain, including requirements relating to bluetongue vaccination and/or blood testing; and to confirm whether compliance with these measures will guarantee access to the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35397/…
173. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement that has taken place with UK authorities to agree practical, proportionate, and science-based measures that would facilitate the continued export of Irish livestock to mainland Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35398/26]
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]
William Aird
Written
13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
William Aird
Written
13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
William Aird
Written
13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
William Aird
Written
13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
William Aird
Written
13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]