William Aird
Laois · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Middle-income working families continue to shoulder the greatest burden of rising living costs. Many are earning too much to qualify for targeted supports and they are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of childcare and housing, and also to meet everyday expenses.”
“The message from families is very clear that people living with dementia want to remain connected to their communities and families want to know what else is available when they need it. Government must continue to invest in dementia services through the whole-of-government approach.”
“Vincent's Community Nursing Unit in Mountmellick, which provides care for older people, including people with dementia and complex care needs. I also recognise the contribution of St.”
“I would like to take the opportunity to speak on this issue which affects thousands of families across this country, many in my own constituency. Dementia is not just a health issue. It is a family issue, a community issue, and a societal issue.”
“We must also strengthen palliative and end-of-life care for people living with dementia by ensuring specialist services work closely with community teams, residential settings, and family carers. Families also need support during this difficult time. Improving early diagnosis and access to dementia-specific supports is essential.”
“It is a vital support in continuing to provide care at home while also protecting their own health and well-being. Families are waiting too long for respite placements and carers are reaching crisis point before support becomes available.”
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“I raise the issue of Droimnín private nursing home in Stradbally, County Laois, and ask the HSE to give serious consideration to retaining this facility on a full-time, permanent basis. As the Minister of State is aware, following an application by HIQA under section 59 of the Health Act 2007, the High Court directed the HSE to assume responsibility for the operation of the nursing home as a provider of last resort. This followed serious and persistent non-compliance identified during the HIQA inspections in April and September 2025, relating to governance, staffing, care planning, healthcare delivery and residents' rights. As widely reported, the HSE has now taken operational control of the centre. I acknowledge the overriding priority has rightly been the safety, care and welfare of the residents of Droimnín nursing home.”
“Is it that we need to have better management of rivers to encourage more wildlife to come? I asked the man when he last saw an otter. He said he does not know the day he last saw one. He is now 84. When he was a young fella, there were plenty of otters. He said he sees the odd crane standing at the side of the bank. The reason I am saying this is not to give a lecture here in Dáil Éireann but because all the talk about not doing river management must be balanced with what we saw 50 or 60 years ago, when there was plenty of wildlife along the river even though there was river management. The argument I am trying to put forward is that we need better management. I praise the Minister of State again for the work he has done. I look forward to him coming down to County Laois. I will have his lunch ready for him on the day.”
“Those who went before us hundreds of years ago did not set out to do anything wrong. They managed the rivers. When I was a young fella passing the same river each day coming home from school, I would see huge eels in it. There are still some there but not as many. We should ask why. I am told it has all to do with not touching the river. I do not know; I am not an expert. I can only tell what happened to me and what I saw with my own two eyes when I was a young fella. All those who lived along the River Triogue loved walking it, going out by Meany’s and O’Donnell’s. I recently asked an old man who lives along the river if there were many ducks. He said there are not as many as usual. Therefore, it is not all about not touching the river. There is something else at play.”
“In my town, Portlaoise, through which the River Triogue flows, there was flooding at Bridge Street because the bridge was too narrow where the water left the town. We took down the bridge and straightened the river at the back of the convent school, meaning we never had flooding again on the street. However, the problem is that we are not cleaning and dredging the river according to principles of good river management, as was done when I was a young fella, the whole way along from Two Mile Bridge to The Rock GAA Club. No dredger has been seen recently. I saw the dredger on the river when I was a young fella. People keep asking me how there could not be flooding if the rivers are not managed. I mean managing them in co-operation with everybody else. None of us set out to do something wrong.”
“I have been dealing with it for years and years. Sandbags were always available and councillors could pick them up and deliver them. I am sure the Minister of State did so himself in his time. I acknowledge that the councils were always very proactive. What is more important is that we work together to ensure we do not experience this devastation again. I named all the storms in my opening address. Every time they happened, there were serious repercussions for everybody. After each one, we were talking as we are talking now. If we are prepared to put huge amounts towards flood barriers, we can also work in parallel by ensuring proper management where water flows out. No matter what you do, water still has to travel the one line out.”
“It is a matter of what comes with the water and what is left over when it is cleaned out with mops and buckets. That must take priority over everything else for those affected. Every winter, there is fear of flooding owing to rainfall. Flooding is devastating for those who live in flood-risk zones. We often hear that we need to be sure about where we buy or build a house. We should remember that there are people living in second-, third- and fourth-generation houses that were never flooded until now. This is where the huge problem is arising. We can talk about climate change but in parallel we need to ensure our natural infrastructure is maintained properly. I remember being a very young councillor in my town, Portlaoise. I acknowledge the role of local authorities. I can speak only about my own one, in County Laois.”
“I acknowledge that the Minister of State has done more work on this. It was many years ago when I saw him on national TV working on behalf of the people of Athlone who were completely flooded. I saw him getting out of a rubber dinghy when he was helping people to move from one area to another. The Minister of State has walked the walk and I am not saying he is not talking the talk. I acknowledge we have a good person to walk the walk for us now because he knows at first hand the devastation. People whose homes have never been flooded believe flooding is like a sink overflowing in the kitchen, as experienced by most people, or a washing machine breaking down, with water coming out on the floor. Flooding is a different animal altogether, in that the devastation can be evident in the house for years afterwards.”
“They ask the same thing, which is to know, working with everybody on a river management basis, that surely some form of cleaning can take place in the river. I am only saying to the Minister of State what has been said to me on a daily basis. One old lady said to me the other day that she is 88 years of age and cleans the shore in her yard every three or four weeks because if she does not, it fills up with silt and the water runs all over the yard right up to her door. These are people who have lived many years and know the facts about having to clean something and ensuring there is depth enough in our rivers, managed right, that allows us to ensure the water does not overflow the banks and does not flood people. Surely, we must act and act immediately when people's homes are flooded.”
“Will the Minister of State, in his own good time while on the public media, explain something that people raise with me on a continuous basis, day in, day out, no matter where I travel? In my hometown of Portlaoise, from where the River Triogue takes all our water out of the capital town of the county to Mountrath, Clonaslee, Rosenallis and Abbeyleix, and everywhere in every corner of Laois, people are talking to me. The talk the whole time, especially among the older people in the community, is that I raise in the Dáil with the Minister of State why we cannot go in to manage and clean the rivers, as was done 40, 50, 60 and 70 years ago. People on the canals can still remember - the few people we have who are over 90 years of age - when the canals were dammed and cleaned all those years ago.”
“I urge the Minister of State to commit to developing a national river management strategy that integrates existing flood relief programmes, accelerates delivery, strengthens governance and funding mechanisms, and uses modern tools for river basin management. Communities like Portarlington, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Mountmellick and others across County Laois deserve clarity. They deserve progress and they deserve to know that the Government is moving beyond reactive responses towards a co-ordinated, strategic and future-focused approach. Flooding is an issue of growing urgency. The financial, social and emotional costs are simply too high to ignore. We need a system that works, one where river management is co-ordinated, consistent and grounded in long-term planning rather than crisis response.”
“A national river management strategy would provide three clear pathways: a long-term framework for catchment-based planning; a clear prioritisation of investment; and structured interagency co-operation. It would ensure that flood mitigation funding delivers maximum value for money, reduces duplication and integrates nature-based solutions alongside traditional engineering works. A national approach would provide certainty. It would allow local authorities and communities to plan proactively. We cannot continue to lurch from one flood event to the next and announce schemes after each crisis, without embedding them into a broader strategic framework.”
“At present, responsibility for flood mitigation, river maintenance and drainage is spread across multiple agencies, including the OPW and local authorities. Despite the good work being done under the existing capital programme, the system remains fragmented. Rivers do not respect county boundaries. Actions taken or not taken upstream can have serious consequences downstream. Issues such as siltation, vegetation management, land use change, outdated drainage infrastructure and inadequate maintenance have all made a contribution to the flood risk. Too often, these issues are dealt with in a piecemeal way rather than through integrated catchment-wide planning. Given the increasing financial cost to families, businesses, landowners and the Exchequer, the time has come for a national river management strategy.”
“I welcome confirmation that its flood relief scheme, with a budget of €20.8 million, has progressed to planning and construction will begin in early 2027. Residents of Mountmellick have waited many years for progress since the significant flooding of November 2017. There is genuine fear every time heavy rain is forecast. Elsewhere across the county, flooding concerns have also been raised. A pitch at The Rock GAA club, which I hope the Minister of State will have an opportunity to visit when he comes to County Laois, is completely waterlogged and flooded over. Hard work, on a community and voluntary basis, went into maintaining and getting those pitches to where they are today. The club adjoins a river, which is the reason this flooding is taking place. Local examples illustrate a broader national issue.”
“Portarlington experienced major flooding events in 2008, 2017 and 2020. A detailed engineering assessment was announced in August 2020 to identify flood alleviation measures and prepare design documentation. However, progress since then has been far too slow. Residents and business owners are increasingly frustrated. Communities living with constant flood risk cannot continue to endure delay after delay. Last weekend, Botley Lane in Portarlington was flooded yet again, a situation that has become all too familiar. I welcome recent indications that flood defence schemes are to be treated as critical infrastructure under upcoming emergency planning legislation. The Portarlington flood relief scheme must be included in any fast-track process. In Mountmellick, areas such as Manor Road continue to flood in times of heavy rainfall.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important matter. Doris, Gareth, Dennis, Alex, Barra, Eunice, Ciarán, Ashley, Éowyn and Chandra were some of the fiercest storms to batter our country in the past ten years. They brought strong winds, rain and flooding, and left a trail of destruction behind them. In light of recent severe weather events, and the flooding we have again witnessed across the country, particularly in my county of Laois, will the Government develop and implement a national river management strategy to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events? In recent months, communities have experienced devastating flooding with homes damaged, businesses disrupted, farmland rendered unusable and families left dealing with uncertainty, stress and significant financial loss.”
“I take this opportunity to thank the Minister for the great work he has done on bluetongue so far. I give him all the encouragement I can in seeking to reopen the Chinese market for beef.”
“Second, where farmers incur losses or face restrictions in the public interest, the State must be prepared to provide financial support. Certainty around compensation is absolutely essential. Third, the Government must continue to engage at European level on vaccination strategies, trade and disease management. We must recognise the human impact of this outbreak. Disease outbreaks place a significant strain on farm families. The Government’s response must be practical, compassionate and based on partnership with farmers, their representatives and the veterinary profession. By acting decisively, communicating clearly and standing firmly behind farmers through appropriate supports, the Government can ensure that this outbreak is managed effectively and that confidence in our livestock sector is maintained.”
“Within the EU, several member states currently have no additional requirements. However, some countries may impose additional measures, including vaccinations, insecticide treatment and PCR testing, to meet with trade rules. I welcome the reopening of the Chinese market for hides and skins. I acknowledge the work of Department officials, who are liaising with Chinese counterparts to regain access for Irish beef. The Department's role is critical. I acknowledge the work under way in the areas of surveillance, testing, movement controls and engagement with stakeholders. Clear communication and rapid response are essential. It is vital that farmers continue to receive accurate and practical information. The Government’s obligations are clear in this regard. First, disease control measures must be science-led, proportionate and effective.”
“The confirmation of cases in Ireland is a major cause of concern. For farmers the consequences include not only animal health issues but, potentially, significant losses. Movement restrictions also pose practical and financial challenges. There are wider implications for the agrifood sector. Ireland's reputation for animal health standards is fundamental to accessing key export markets. Managing this outbreak decisively and in line with international best practice is essential to the long-term standing of our livestock industry. Marts and factories continue to operate normally and the confirmation of BTV-3 does not have implications for live animal exports, depending on the country of destination. I note the Department is updating animal health certificates to reflect BTV-3 requirements.”
“I want to address the emergency of BTV-3 and outline its implications for farmers and the agrifood sector, as well as the obligations on the Government to respond effectively and responsibly. First, I acknowledge the farm family in County Wexford where the cases have been confirmed. I commend them on their immediate and ongoing co-operation with veterinary authorities, including compliance with movement restrictions and full engagement in tracing and surveillance. The responsible actions of this farm and neighbouring holdings are helping to protect the wider farming community and limit the spread. Bluetongue is a serious notifiable animal disease affecting cattle, sheep and other ruminants. It does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, but it impacts on animal welfare, farm incomes and market confidence.”
“I thank the Taoiseach for his response. Ahead of the Taoiseach's US trip, it is essential that the Government identifies the risks posed by the US tariff policy and industrial strategy; sets out the commitments required to safeguard key export sectors, including pharmaceuticals and agrifood; and actively promotes market diversification and bilateral safeguards rather than relying on EU-level responses. I urge the Taoiseach to use every engagement in Washington and Philadelphia to secure protection for Irish producers, workers and communities, especially those in rural counties such as Laois where high-quality jobs are hard won and extremely valued.”
“This in no way reflects the county's potential. The decision by Leprino Foods to leave its Laois plant, putting 132 jobs at risk, shows the need for stronger supports and more diverse and robust investment. Ireland's economic model must be flexible enough to withstand external shocks. European unity on trade policy is important but we cannot rely solely on Brussels. We must go further. Ahead of his trip, will the Taoiseach clarify what risks to Irish economic interests arising from US trade and tariff policy have been identified by the Government? Will he set out the commitments and guarantees he intends to seek from US counterparts to safeguard Irish trade and investment?”
“Figures released early in 2025 showed that nearly half of all Irish goods exports in January went to the US, with medical and pharmaceutical products accounting for 61% of these exports. Recent US tariff actions and the threat of wider measures have already shown how volatile the situation is. In April 2025, exports to the US fell by 62% in a single month due to tariff uncertainty. Economists warn that broad US tariffs on EU products could cost Ireland more than €18 billion in lost trade. It would have a real impact on GDP, domestic demand and employment if a full trade war were to develop. These figures underline two realities. Irish exporters are vulnerable to shifts in US trade policy, and jobs and investment are affected in every county. In my own constituency of Laois, only two IDA-hosted investment visits took place in 2025.”
“I welcome the Taoiseach's upcoming engagements in Washington and Philadelphia for St. Patrick's Day. These meetings come at a critical moment for Ireland as global trading conditions become uncertain. Our trading relationship with the United States is central to our economy. In 2024, Irish goods exported to the US reached a value of €72.6 billion, around 32% of all goods we sell overseas. Pharmaceuticals accounted for 61% of these exports, which shows how dominant that sector has become. This sector brings jobs, investment and tax revenue but it also leaves us exposed. Ireland is more dependent on US markets than almost any other EU country. Unfortunately, there are signs of instability.”
“However, given Portarlington's size, growth and location, I strongly believe the town needs a Garda station operating 24 hours a day. I ask the Taoiseach to engage with the Minister for justice and An Garda Síochána to make the opening of this station 24-7 a priority.”
“First, I thank the Taoiseach for making his very successful trip to China and the rewards we got as a result of it. I raise the issue of Portarlington Garda station in County Laois and ask that its operation be restored to a full-time, 24-hour service. Portarlington is the second-largest town in Laois with a population of 9,000 people. The station serves not only itself but a wider area, including Emo, Killenard and Ballybrittas. It is a significant concern to the local community that this is a large area and served by a part-time Garda station. Residents do not have a nearby front desk and are forced to travel to Portlaoise for passport verification, to report incidents and to get community support. I recognise the work being done to strengthen Garda numbers nationally.”
“That is the reality we are living in at the moment. We will back the Minister 100% in this House on anything he can do to help these young people.”
“I wish everybody a happy Christmas. I do not have the time to elaborate on it. It is not often I stand here and thank the Minister but I thank him for the work he has done. This is a great thing for farmers. It will be backed 100%. I am delighted with it. Could the Minister please work on permissions for log cabins and modular homes to allow people to put a log cabin on a site in cases where they cannot afford a house, and also modular homes on a site or behind a house? This is a great plan. It will be a great help to people. It is not about wanting to live at home or in the backyard. It is about trying to save money in order to build a house. I spoke to a young boy yesterday. He is 31 years of age and he got a mortgage yesterday for 35 years at €1,778 per month. He will be 66 when he has the mortgage paid.”
“Schools and parents in towns such as Abbeyleix, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington and Portlaoise need to know what engagement is happening and what planning is under way to secure places for September 2026. I am asking the Taoiseach to liaise with the Minister for education to ensure that the new ASD classes are open to meet this growing demand in County Laois. I ask for a clear timeline for delivery of these units at post-primary level.”
“I raise an issue that is causing huge concern to families across County Laois, that is, the urgent need for ASD classes at post-primary level. Last year, the then Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, successfully spearheaded a campaign to open more ASD classes at primary school level. We need the same level of urgency at post-primary level. We know that a significant number of children with ASD will move from primary to post-primary in coming years. Their parents are already worried about the availability of suitable places. They want their children with ASD educated, with their siblings and peers, in their local schools and communities. These families deserve assurances that their children will not be left without appropriate educational facilities.”
“I want to raise the concerning issue of waiting times for assessment of need for children in County Laois. I received a letter from the HSE dated 3 December 2025, stating that 870 children in the Laois-Offaly area are currently waiting to be reviewed by the assessment officer to determine the eligibility of progress for assessment. For those deemed eligible, the average waiting time is 21 months, almost two years, before beginning the process of accessing supports. The HSE did not provide me with specific figures but the scale of the backlog is undeniable. The families are in distress and children are being denied critical early intervention. Even more troubling is that the HSE confirmed to me that 95% of the assessments have been outsourced to private providers but waiting times are not improving.”
“The Tánaiste mentioned that today is our first anniversary of being elected. Would it not be lovely for him to stand up in his response to say "Yes" to me and that he has a clear timeframe for doing something?”
“Rathdowney fire station has been waiting for more than two decades for a replacement. A site was acquired in 2003, Part 8 approval is complete and Laois County Council has prioritised Rathdowney for the 2026 to 2030 fire service capital programme. The current station is outdated, overcrowded and lacks proper facilities for female staff, despite having the largest number of female fire fighters in the county. Rathdowney crews continue to provide an excellent service to a wide area of homes, schools, farms and businesses. A new station is essential to provide proper training conditions, adequate facilities and a stronger response capacity. Will the Tánaiste commit to prioritising and funding the construction of the new Rathdowney fire station? Will he provide a clear timeline for when its long overdue funding will be released?”
“As a politician - we are all politicians at the end of the day working on behalf of the people in our communities - the single biggest issue raised in my clinics every day is by people who are trying to get their loved ones into one of the nursing homes. It is very difficult. There is no capacity in any private residential nursing homes. As has been said, the nursing home in Portlaoise is closed at the moment, which puts huge pressure on the situation. I am asking the Ministers of State and the Minister if they can do everything possible for us.”
“I put in a parliamentary question and received a reply on the 14 October, outlining exactly what the Minister of State has said. Funding of the sum of €23.7 million was allocated for a 130-bed facility in St. Vincent's in 2016. The project is being carried out in phases, including work on a new 50-bed unit. Will the Minister of State give a firm commitment that the overall capacity will be a 130-bed unit when all phases are complete? I refer to the existing facility in St. Vincent's in Mountmellick, which I know very well because my late mother was a nurse there for many years. A special occasion was when we went to look at the Christmas decorations at Christmas and to visit the patients who were there. I want to make sure we can keep the number of beds we have there.”
“I thank the Minister for his remarks. That is the most positive reply I have received since I became a TD. It looks as though we only have to put in the submission and the Minister will look after us reading between the lines. The Dunamaise Arts Centre can serve its community for the next 25 years as it has for the past 25. I acknowledge the exceptional work of the team there including Ciara O'Connell, the CEO, Nick Antonm the technical manager and all the front-of-house, administrative and technical staff. This commitment has kept a vital cultural space alive through significant challenges. I encourage the people of Laois and all surrounding counties to continue supporting the centre.”
“The estimated cost is approximately €220,000 and this is not outrageous. Without this investment, the ability of the centre to safely and professionally host performances will be compromised.”
“I thank the Minister. For 25 years the Dunamaise Arts Centre has provided a home for drama, music, film, community groups, festivals and the visual arts in my region. It has supported both professional and amateur artists. It has built a reputation for excellence. The centre has vibrant, energetic and ambitious plans and is ready to expand and strengthen its role as the cultural heart of the county. However, the centre urgently requires renewed investment. Its technical and production infrastructure is now significantly outdated. Essential systems have reached the end of their lifespan, including lighting and power distribution, control desks and production computers. Much of the lighting is based on older, unsustainable technology soon to be phased out under EU regulations. Dunamaise Arts Centre needs full modernisation.”
“I am raising this question to get clear and committed support for Dunamaise Arts Centre in County Laois. This centre opened in 1999. Capital funding was supported by the then Minister for arts, Michael D. Higgins. Matching funding was proposed by me in the council chamber in Laois in 1999. Dunamaise Arts Centre has served as the cornerstone for cultural life in Laois and the wider midlands. I am asking the Minister to provide funding for the centre and outline the additional funding available to support its ongoing operation, programming and development.”
“Following the recent withdrawal of strike action by school secretaries and caretakers represented by Fórsa, can the Taoiseach provide an update on the current status of the negotiations regarding pension parity, pay frameworks and other employment conditions? Will he outline the timeline for implementing the commitments agreed through the Workplace Relations Commission? Will he list measures the Government is taking to ensure the negotiations are concluded promptly? I thank the Taoiseach for his work in convincing the industrial school survivors to come off the hunger strike. I spoke to them daily because my family had a home in Roscrea. My grandmother, when she was a public representative in the fifties, did a lot of work with those concerned. I thank the Taoiseach for his work.”
“The tillage farmers are on their knees at the moment. I beg the Government to give them money. Now, we will see the beef industry going and there will be nothing left only the dairy industry, and that is not good practice for farming.”
“That has given us the perilous situation we are in at the moment. Good and very good stock people were forced into dairying in this country and we are going to see worse than that. How can anybody, when we are net contributors to the EU, see what is happening out there and allow this beef to come in? Then we are told that if it suffers more than 10%, we will get a refund. Farmers do not want a refund. They want to get paid for the job that they do. None of them wants to get money in the post. We want to be allowed to produce beef, get a market value for it and just make a week's wages. That is all we want. Unless people like every one of us in the Dáil Chamber oppose this Mercosur deal, we are going to see farmers being wiped out of the beef industry. We will have nothing left in the country.”
“I am glad to have an opportunity to say a few words this evening. I completely stand behind the farmers on this one and I am delighted there are so many of them here in the Public Gallery this evening, and rightly so. They are absolutely worn out between being in Newbridge or Naas a while ago and they are here again this evening. This Mercosur thing is a very bad deal for this country. I am sorry that I am here on my own from Fine Gael but that is neither here nor there. I thank everybody who organised the motion and I have no problem with that either. It is timely and it is very important. We have to push back. This is the first year for the past 25 or 30 years that I have seen farmers getting a return for beef cattle. We have lost over 200,000 suckler farmers. They are gone because farmers were not making money.”
“Will the Minister confirm whether a dedicated task force will be established to bring together the Minister's Department, Laois County Council, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the jobs, support affected workers and attract new investment to this site, which as the Minister knows, is a state-of-the-art site? It is a site where huge investment was put in for all new builds and equipment. This site would be available for many different workforce skills and opportunities. It is just to ensure that the building continues in operation.”
“We have the lowest rate of job creation from IDA Ireland in the State at the moment. I wanted to talk to the Minister about Leprino. I thank him for visiting Leprino in Portlaoise and working with me and the other people. The announcement that Leprino Foods will close its facility in Portlaoise is a huge blow to us in Portlaoise, to County Laois more widely and to the 130 skilled workers who are working in Leprino, their families and the wider local community. We need urgent and co-ordinated action on this.”
“I know the Minister is committed to balanced regional development, sustainable jobs and giving every county, including Laois, a fair chance to attract the next generation of investment. I am asking his Department to continue to engage with Laois County Council, the local enterprise offices, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to ensure that Laois and the midlands are represented in the first wave of large-scale, next generation sites.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. The next generation sites initiative represents a real opportunity to prepare Ireland for the industries of tomorrow. In Laois, we have the location, the infrastructure and a workforce ready to go. What we need now is clear prioritisation and early investment so that we are fully prepared to deliver for the new enterprises of the FDI projects that come on stream. Laois, as the Minister knows, is strategically positioned, with the M7 and M8 motorways, strong rail connectivity and proximity to Dublin and the south-east ports. Laois offers a skilled workforce in manufacturing logistics and technology, and growing potential in green energy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to raise this important question with the Minister. Ireland's success in attracting world-class investment has depended on our ability to offer fully serviced, high-quality industrial and enterprise sites. As we look to the next generation of investment in manufacturing, green energy and digital innovation, we must ensure that every part of the country, including the midlands and County Laois in particular, is ready to compete. My question to the Minister is what the Department's timeline for identifying and servicing large-scale regional next generation sites for foreign direct investment and enterprise is, where they will be located and how local enterprise offices, regional agencies and local authorities will be involved in their development.”
“Mental health support must include involvement in local counselling, outreach and community mental health teams and support for programmes like On Feirm Ground and Ahead of the Game. We need to bring services closer to men, tackle the stigma, expand the capacity and support community groups on the ground.”
“It is a simple but very powerful idea. These outreach programmes need more support and funding. Community initiatives are most important, but a strong health service is critical. In Laois County Council's area and across the midlands, nursing home capacity is under pressure. Families are struggling to find local care. I want at this stage to acknowledge the exceptional work of staff in St. Vincent's hospital in Mountmellick, St. Brigid's Hospital in Shaen and Abbeyleix district hospital, which the Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows about well, but we need more capacity in County Laois. Today, I urge the Minister of State and the HSE to prioritise my request. Mental health is a critical aspect of men's health. Stigma still remains around asking for help for mental health issues.”