Results 1-20 of 3,952 for speaker:Mark Ward

Men's Health: Statements (22 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on men's health. As a person living with multiple sclerosis, MS, I am going to speak in a personal capacity in order to raise awareness. I will also speak as a TD and use my platform to call for additional resources. I have mentioned it before - and I do not talk about it too much - but at least once a year I come in here and talk about being...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: In layman's terms, what is the difference between unregulated and regulated settings?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Last week, Tusla appeared before the committee. Since then, we have had two very serious incidents. There was the violent murder of a 17-year-old Ukrainian boy in a Tusla unregulated facility. Today, a man has been charged with a serious sexual assault of a ten-year-old girl who went missing from Tusla care. In light of these two incidents, if it is allowed, Tusla should, at some stage,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (21 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the year search and rescue helicopters started to operate from Casement Aerodrome; when this operation stopped; if air traffic controllers are required for the operation of search and rescue helicopters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57195/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (21 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 853. To ask the Minister for Health if developmental checks are being offered to newborns for the appropriate month milestones by public health nurses from the Rowlagh health centre; the options available to parents if their children are not to be offered appointments due to staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57342/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (21 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 854. To ask the Minister for Health if developmental checks are being offered to newborns for the appropriate month milestones by public health nurses from the Ballyfermot/Palmerstown primary care; the options available to parents if their children are not to be offered appointments due to staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57343/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Budget 2026 (16 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the breakdown of the funding allocated to youth work in Budget 2026; the levels of funding that will be directed towards Balgaddy, Lucan, County Dublin for youth work; the way in which youth work organisations can apply for funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56130/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (16 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the number of special needs assistants in a school (details supplied); if a review can be carried out by her Department for the school to see if there is an adequate number of SNA staff in the school; if additional SNA staffing can be considered for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56148/25]

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: The Government has broken its promises to carers. In the general election, the Government promised to abolish the means tests for carers. This was another broken promise. In this budget, so little money has been allocated that at this rate of investment it would take 30 years under Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and, in the case of the Minister of State, Independents, to abolish the means...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: No, we are sharing time between the two of us.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I see Deputy Sean Crowe is here. I apologise.

Confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade: Motion (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison are constituents of mine. They are my neighbours and the parents of Harvey who, as we all know, died tragically earlier this year. I got to know Gillian and Stephen very well over the last while. I am really fond of them. They are just an ordinary family trying to do their best for their children and build a life for themselves. They carried...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 234. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the new funding allocated to youth justice measures in Budget 2026; for a breakdown for where this funding will be directed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55662/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 235. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the funding allocated to restorative justice measures in Budget 2026; to outline the spend relative to the spending in Budget 2025; if there is funding for new measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55663/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 236. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the funding for the Bail Supervision Service in Budget 2026; the funding allocated to the service in 2025; if there is funding for new measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55664/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2026 (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 303. To ask the Minister for Health the funding in Budget 2026 that was allocated to local drug and alcohol taskforces; the funding for the previous five years; in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55676/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I agree with Mr. Herrick when he spoke about ambiguity, incompleteness and lack of clarity. That seems to be the common theme of the speakers. We do not know what we are signing up for. I believe we need an international protection system that is enforced, effective and not rushed, as is happening today. I have significant concerns...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Ms O'Keeffe mentioned the 2005 and 2013 Acts and previous Acts. Would the Acts that were there previously not allow us to go through this process without signing up to the EU migration pact?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am aware of the decision but I am asking for clarity. The decision was made and signed off on by the Government and was passed in the Houses of the Oireachtas, so it is agreed. We all know that. There have been pacts and legislation previously, though. Would they not allow us to deal with this legislation rather than signing up to the EU migration pact?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am looking for clarification on a couple of more issues. I have huge concerns about the capacity of the current system to deal with the implications of this legislation. Will the officials clarify whether the general scheme deals with what will happen if it is not possible to hire the number of staff required to meet the timeframes for processing applications and appeals? Will they also...