Results 181-200 of 3,231 for speaker:Mark Ward

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 338. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to build new secondary schools in the Lucan area given the recent population growth; what planning is in place to address this shortage of secondary school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10832/24]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 357. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for young people to engage in and represent Ireland in kickboxing abroad; how can people and sports clubs apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10563/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 757. To ask the Minister for Health to comment on funding and availability of the post mastectomy grant; if this funding is to be reduced, the reasoning behind this; if this will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10678/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 668. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the work carried out for the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTI people since the publishing of The LGBTIreland Report; if there are plans for an updated study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10140/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Consent (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 744. To ask the Minister for Health if an individual with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder can make an advanced directive or decision to the right to taper their medication; if so, to outline the process to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10574/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 753. To ask the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists employed in Wexford; how many vacant positions there are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 754. To ask the Minister for Health about mental health funding for voluntary mental health organisations in Wexford, and how much was allocated from 2020 to the present; how groups can apply for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: Our meeting always starts at 5.30 p.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: No, I am okay. I read the opening statements before coming to the meeting. They contain a fair amount on the role of social media. I thank the witnesses for attending. As politicians, when we try to dispel misinformation, we find it difficult. For example, if I wanted to pay for something to be relayed on Facebook or another Meta platform further than is usually the case, I would have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: Even when people report issues, they do not get any feedback. I have often reported posts. There was misinformation involved in the arson attack at Crooksling. It is a place I know well. My grandmother died there. She was in that nursing home for a long time and was looked after very well. When the misinformation started being spread, I tried to combat it on social media. One reports...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: We can see that. Whenever I go onto my X feed, I see an ad for Gript Media. You can see it on certain kinds of threads. I agree with Ms McDonald. I thank the witnesses. I might contribute again, but I wish to listen to other members first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: When it comes to social media, I have to get my kids to do some of the work. In respect of a solution, there are two lines I would like to tease out a little. In her opening statement, Ms McDonald said, "We need to prevent the amplification of hateful, dangerous and violent content." She also said, "Turning off the recommender system by default would reduce the amplification of content,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I am sorry to cut across Ms McDonald but can that be done in individual jurisdictions or does it happen across Europe or across the world? Can we in Ireland say we are going to do this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: Most people, myself included, just tick those boxes to keep going.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I thank the Garda representatives for attending. I will touch on the far-right tactics of baiting gardaí into a response and looking for a response. Sometimes when there is a perceived lack of response, that can lead to an escalation of some of the situations we have seen, most notably the Dublin riots and recent events in the Chair’s area in Celbridge where members of An Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I will have to gather my thoughts now. I was on a roll.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: That is misinformation and a downright lie. To be serious again, the perceived lack of consequences for actions such as targeting gardaí with fireworks is just not on. That perception can lead to more of these situations and have a snowball effect. Has the Garda learned from this or changed and evolved its tactics for dealing with these more aggressive protests recently? I would not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I always find it very odd that it is not an offence. I feel it is a real invasion for somebody to go right up into a garda's face with a phone and incite a reaction from the garda. Is it not an offence to do that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: Okay. I have one other point. I mentioned the arson attack when the last group of witnesses was in. It is really reprehensible when that happens. There was a recent arson attack in Crooksling, which is a place I know well. My grandmother passed away in the nursing home there. We have a lot of good memories and sad memories there. I know that a lot of people in the local community have...