William Aird

324. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the most up-to-date data available on the number of adults with intellectual disabilities living at home with ageing or elderly parents who are their primary carers, particularly where carers are over retirement age, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27561/26]

325. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of supported residential housing units available for adults with intellectual disabilities; the number of additional units currently planned or in development, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27562/26]

326. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm whether all relevant service providers in Laois have submitted disability support management advisory team forms to the HSE in respect of unmet residential support needs; the steps being taken to move from crisis-based emergency placements towards planned, long-term supported housing in line with the objectives of a campaign (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27563/26]

986. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the rationale for the Government’s recent decision to implement limited excise duty reductions on agricultural fuels; if he will acknowledge that such measures have resulted in only a marginal reduction of approximately 3% in fuel costs for farmers and agricultural contractors, which is insufficient in the context of recent price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/26]

987. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures his Department intends to take to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on farmers' incomes, agricultural contractors, and the wider agri-food supply chain, particularly in circumstances where farm margins cannot absorb additional costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26959/26]

988. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to urgently review the Government's position on taxation of agricultural fuels, including carbon tax, in order to alleviate financial pressures on the farming sector, particularly in light of the current seasonal demands, including peak tillage operations, slurry and fertiliser application, and the forthcoming silage season, as well as the reliance on LPG gas in the poultry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26960/26]

989. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the steps being taken to establish a national flood insurance scheme to protect homeowners, renters and businesses increasingly exposed to flood risk; whether international models that stabilise insurance markets and cover both households and businesses are being examined; if engagement is under way with insurers, regulators and EU bodies; if he will outline a timeline for the scheme to be operational before next winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26961/26]

990. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will outline the way in which the excise duties collected on fuels are allocated and spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26962/26]

1622. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards being put in place in the development of revised regulations governing cabins, modular units and similar accommodation in domestic gardens to ensure that such developments do not give rise to unintended negative impacts on adjoining or neighbouring properties, including issues relating to privacy, access and residential amenity; to confirm whether consideration has been given to requiring that all such accommodation, where occupied as residential tenancies, be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board to ensure appropriate oversight and tenant protections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27560/26]

1937. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any special exceptions under which a person under the age of 66 years-of-age, who is living with a medical condition that significantly restricts but does not limit their ability to drive, may qualify for a free travel pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/26]

2093. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of IPAS centres in County Laois,; the total number of occupants in each centre disaggregated, by gender and age, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25561/26]

2094. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to confirm whether he intends on opening a further IPAS centre in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25562/26]

2300. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the cost of agri-diesel has increased by approximately 50% in recent weeks, representing the most significant percentage increase across fuel categories; the extent to which the Government has assessed the impact of these increases on farm viability and contractor operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26958/26]

3324. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health if she will consider conducting a temporary review of mileage rates for home support workers in light of the rising cost of fuel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26833/26]

221. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role Ireland is playing in shaping EU trade policy, including ongoing negotiations on trade agreements; the steps being taken to ensure that Ireland’s strategic economic interests are protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22458/26]

222. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current assessment of the safety and welfare of Irish citizens living, working or travelling in regions affected by recent instability in the Middle East; the consular supports being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22459/26]

223. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken to ensure adequate passport service capacity ahead of the peak 2026 renewal period; the expected processing times for first-time and renewal applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22460/26]

224. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of support being provided to Irish NGOs and humanitarian partners operating in conflict and disaster-affected regions; the plans to strengthen Ireland’s overseas development and humanitarian response in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22461/26]

225. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the €16.4 million allocated under the 2025 Emigrant Support Programme is supporting frontline welfare services for vulnerable members of our diaspora; the way in which this funding strengthens Ireland’s long-standing commitment to Irish communities overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22462/26]

226. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will host a European Council meeting in Laois during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22464/26]

396. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider the inclusion of the special needs assistant profession in the flat rate expense tax credit as administered by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/26]

423. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to support Irish exporters in diversifying into new international markets in light of recent global economic volatility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/26]

424. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the schedule of planned trade missions for 2026; the sectors being prioritised; the way in which these missions will contribute to attracting foreign direct investment and supporting Irish businesses abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22457/26]

425. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to aid IDA Ireland in securing new foreign direct investment for Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22465/26]

1034. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to address the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage; the difficulties in accessing treatment through the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22443/26]