Results 1-20 of 160 for speaker:Charles Ward

Nursing Homes: Motion [Private Members] (2 Jul 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank the Labour Party for putting forward this very important motion on nursing homes. I support it and its calls to prioritise equality and safety in the care of older people. Overhauling nursing homes is what we need to look at. As someone who has worked on the ground and worked for the company involved in the documentary, I am not surprised. To say that 80% of nursing homes are now...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Charles Ward: I welcome the review of the EPSEN Act and many of its findings. Ensuring every child's educational needs are met is imperative. Education should be inclusive and responsive to the needs of all children, but this is not the case in many areas where children with special educational needs are unable to secure school places. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is doing what...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank the witnesses for coming. I will start by saying I am shocked that a boat can land from Sweden and take a fine from Sweden, whereas if an Irish boat lands, the fishermen are turned into criminals. That is absolutely shocking. From reading the witnesses' submissions, it is clear that over-the-top regulation is destroying Irish fisheries as we speak. It is amazing that we cannot get...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Charles Ward: My second question is on the submission supplied the Seafood Ireland Alliance, which states that progress has been made to build a positive working relationship between the industry and the SFPA. I ask the alliance to speak more on this. What has been more to rebuild the relationship? How do we continue to build this relationship, if we can, in the future?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services (26 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank the Minister for outlining that. The location of the surgical hub has generated a lot of public interest. It has the potential to impact many people's lives across the north west. It is important we get it right. As I said to the Minister, this is not a Sligo versus Donegal issue. The north-west region alone is disadvantaged in many ways. We should not be forced to fight over...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services (26 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank the Minister for her engagement on this matter. She has been proactive and committed to ensure that all the data and experiences are being taken into account. We appreciate this. In Donegal, we are grateful the Minister is listening to us. We are fighting our corner and are willing to listen. The Minister is taking all the situations into account. We appreciate and understand...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services (26 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 5. To ask the Minister for Health the process she is currently undertaking in choosing a location for a surgical hub for the north west, as outlined in the programme for Government; the factors that will be considered in choosing the location; if this decision will be based solely on geography, population, demographics, day case numbers and staffing numbers; and if she will make a statement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services (26 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: It will be no surprise to the Minister what I am asking her today. The decision of where to locate the surgical hub in the north west is an important one. Therefore, transparency in the decision-making process is vital. Will she outline, in detail, what factors will be considered when choosing the surgical hub for the north west?

Legislative and Structural Reforms to Accelerate Housing Delivery: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: I support this motion that calls to declare a national housing and infrastructure emergency and introduce time-bound emergency legislation that would enable local authorities and developers to accelerate the delivery of housing on already zoned, infrastructure-ready land. As I said last week, we cannot take the necessary steps to properly address this crisis until we call it what it is: a...

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

Charles Ward: I am sure the Taoiseach and the Minister for education are aware that Scoil Mhuire Milford in County Donegal is not fit for purpose. There are severe issues with the childrens' toilets in the current building. There is no green play area, denying children the opportunity for any meaningful physical activity. There is a severe lack of classroom space and, as a result, teachers are forced to...

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

Charles Ward: It is ready but it has been denied time and again.

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

Charles Ward: It is in the system.

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

Charles Ward: It is waiting.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Defective Building Materials (24 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 502. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the ongoing delay in processing appeals under the enhanced defective concrete block scheme; the current status of appeals; the definitive timeline for issuing decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/25]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Defective Building Materials (24 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 504. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the ongoing delay in providing clarification to the residents of Elm Park, Buncrana under the enhanced defective concrete block scheme; the definitive timeline for issuing decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (24 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 573. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number in receipt of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024, disaggregated by rate of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33918/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (24 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 574. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total administrative costs of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/25]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Budgets (24 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: 717. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the potential total cost of increasing the foster care allowance by the equivalent of the current rates of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33917/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: Two weeks ago, the Government approved legislation to amend the defective concrete scheme to allow for retrospective payments, extend the timeframes and include new provisions for vulnerable families. I voiced my opposition to the fixing of a cut-off date of 29 March 2024 for the increased scheme cap and the updated grant rate, as I believe it is extremely unfair and will leave a number of...

Committee on Children and Equality: Engagement with Children's Rights Alliance (19 Jun 2025)

Charles Ward: The manifesto of the Simon Communities states that the largest age group among the homeless population is infant to four-year-olds, who account for 11.4% of the total. I spoke about this yesterday. The report also highlights a rise in the number of children in emergency accommodation and states that children between infancy and 17 years of age are at the highest risk of poverty. Does the...