Results 241-260 of 595 for speaker:William Aird

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jul 2025)

William Aird: It is not right. In fairness, I was here hours before Deputy Carrigy and they will not allow me to speak.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I think it is unfair.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jul 2025)

William Aird: There is no point coming to the meetings then.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jul 2025)

William Aird: It is up to the Chair to allow every person in.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Engagement on Matters Relating to Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jul 2025)

William Aird: Well, it is not good enough when you do not get in.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 234. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there are plans to amend the eligibility criteria for the SEAI solar panel grant scheme to include residential properties built after 2020; if consideration has been given to extending the grant to households who were unable to install solar panels at the time of construction due to rising costs; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 268. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide retrospective funding to Laois County Council for the construction of the Portlaoise western distributor road which is key infrastructure relieving town centre traffic, unlocking new development zones at Junction 17, supporting the Portlaoise low carbon town initiative and providing accessible facilities for all road users...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Budget 2026 (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 346. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing tax reliefs, credits, or allowances in Budget 2026 for separated or divorced parents who are active in their children's lives and who contribute financially and personally to their upbringing, but currently receive no tax recognition despite having their children part-time and incurring substantial expenses including...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 551. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will increase the allocation to Laois County Council, 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 plays in enabling people to live safely and independently in their homes; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 613. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider extending eligibility for the State pension (Contributory) to long-serving public servants, including teachers and local authority workers, who paid class D PRSI for decades but now find themselves excluded from receiving the State pension; if he acknowledges the financial hardship faced by many of these...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Transport (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 614. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will commit to introducing a fair and standardised system of income support for part-time school bus drivers during school closures (details supplied); if he will work with the Department of Education and the Department of Transport to develop an advance or automatic payment mechanism that recognises school closures...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Newborn Saving's Account (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 801. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking towards the establishment of a managed savings account for newborns, as promised in the Programme for Government 2025, Securing Our Future; if the scheme will allow parents to save up to €2,000 per annum and earn interest on those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 845. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the current shortage of childcare places for infants under 12 months; if consideration has been given to extending financial supports or childcare leave entitlements to parents who face a gap between the end of paid maternity and parental leave and the availability of childcare; and the way in which she plans...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Childcare Services (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 846. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is considering measures to expand access to after-school child care services in primary schools, particularly for children finishing school at 2 pm; if the impact of limited childcare options on mothers' participation in the workforce has been assessed; if supports will be introduced to make aftercare more accessible and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (15 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 1014. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale for excluding the BA (Hons) in psychology course at the National College of Ireland from eligibility under the free fees initiative (FFI), given that all other undergraduate courses at the institution are deemed eligible and that the psychology degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland; and if he will consider...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Schemes (10 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 118. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads, given the importance of rural infrastructure and connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38239/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I thank the Minister of State for her response. However, it is important that I stress again that I am not asking for extras for County Laois. I am asking for the basics, that is, access to a doctor, reasonable wait times, and care delivered in our towns and villages. Rural Laois deserves the same healthcare rights as any other part of this country. People have paid into the system for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

William Aird: We do not.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

William Aird: That is what was said 12 months ago.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I draw the Minister of State's attention to an escalating crisis in rural County Laois in the form of the chronic shortage of GPs and the lack of fully developed primary care services. We all accept that primary care is the front line of the health service. It is where early diagnoses happen, chronic conditions are managed and preventative care should take place, easing pressure on our...