Results 241-260 of 312 for speaker:William Aird

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 Jun 2025)

William Aird: 33. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade 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...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (19 Jun 2025)

William Aird: 184. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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]

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: I thank the witnesses for being here. I am encouraged by what I have heard. As a former long-serving county councillor, I thank them for their work and involvement with citizens information. They do an awful lot of good work in that regard. I know that from my years as a councillor. I am glad to have the opportunity to thank them very much for the work they do throughout the country. ...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: May I ask one further question? I know it was sort of asked already but I want to make it clear in my own head. Consider a single parent who has been getting maintenance all his or her life. When the person from whom they have been getting maintenance dies, what is the situation?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: They would no longer, under this Bill, be entitled to the payment.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: I thank our guests for coming here today. I have put a few questions together that I would like them to endeavour to answer, if they can. How effective are existing child-related benefits at reducing poverty in Ireland? Which specific ones have the greatest impact?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: That is grand. Does the report highlight any gaps in current supports, such as for children in one-parent families, migrants or low-income working households?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: That is lovely. What evidence does the ESRI provide on long-term impacts of increased child benefits and education and health outcomes?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: That is grand. I just wanted to know the effect on young children. How does Ireland compare with other EU countries on spending efficiency and child poverty reduction via social welfare protections?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: What policy changes does the ESRI recommend based on its analysis and what are the fiscal implications of these changes?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: I understand.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: I thank Dr. Doorley.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: May I just ask one simple question? It is a follow-up. I thank the witnesses for answering the questions earlier. When there is no take-up, is there a reason for that? Has the ESRI ever fleshed out the reason?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: On the question then, we will go back to the employer. What is Dr. Doorley's opinion on that? Should they have to do that? Should they have to go and personally talk to their employer about what they are doing? I ask for Dr. Doorley's answer on that.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: They do not have to.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

William Aird: That is grand. That answers my question.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

William Aird: Will the Taoiseach commit to funding a community neurorehabilitation team for the midlands in budget 2026 in line with the programme for Government's commitment to complete the national roll-out of such teams? Community neurorehabilitation teams provide vital short-term intensive care, with access to services like physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects (24 Jun 2025)

William Aird: 94. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects (24 Jun 2025)

William Aird: I ask the Government to include both the Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass in the revised national development plan. They are not just local road projects; they are critical infrastructure with regional and national significance. As the Minister of State knows, Portlaoise is one of Ireland's fastest growing towns. The town is already under pressure from traffic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects (24 Jun 2025)

William Aird: We do not need consideration; we need money. This road is vital to redirect HGVs coming from Rosslare to the west of Ireland. We are trying move this traffic away from residential areas, schools and hospitals. This route is also essential to future-proof Portlaoise for sustainable growth under the national planning framework. Without this orbital route, development is hindered, traffic...