Results 2,001-2,020 of 3,635 for speaker:Mark Ward

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Services (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: 533. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of funding a national advocacy service for people with disabilities in 2023 indicating the cost of a youth advocacy programme and adults including the inclusion of psychosocial disabilities in the advocacy services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24908/22]

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Ukrainian Crisis: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I did not expect to be first. I thank the Minister and his staff for attending. I add my voice to those condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It is heartbreaking to see some of the images and listening to some of the stories of people who are arriving on our shores. I acknowledge the work of the Minister and his Department in handling this issue so far. It is, as he said, a...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Ukrainian Crisis: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I am familiar with Citywest. It is in my constituency, as is the Red Cow, and I have met families in both places. One of the concerns I have is that the accommodation in Citywest seems to be temporary. People are going there first before being moved to more secure, permanent accommodation elsewhere. Are they followed up on when they go into more secure accommodation or are they left on...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I thank the representatives of Bodywhys for attending. It is great to meet them in person instead of virtually, for a change. I am Sinn Féin's spokesperson on mental health. Eating disorders are one of the biggest issues about which people regularly contact me. It is usually mothers or fathers of young adults who are looking to get their children into an inpatient eating disorder...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Does Ms Hastings know when the bed capacity is likely to increase from three to 26 beds?

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Some people who have contacted my office have said that, for example, the response from the HSE is that, at present, adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require public inpatient care can be referred to any HSE-approved acute inpatient mental health centre. Parents and young adults who get in touch with me about their experiences of going into acute mental health facilities...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: That will lead me on to my next questions around dental services, but I will wait to ask them.

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: The reason I mention young adults is many of them who have been in touch or whose parents have been in touch with my office were children who availed of eating disorder services. They find that the there is no comparison between services for adolescents and services for young adults. Linn Dara is on my doorstep and, therefore, I am aware of the services it provides. It has its problems...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: On paper, that model of care is absolutely brilliant. It really works. The problem is that in reality, from the experience I am hearing from people, that is not what is happening. That is down to the lack of resources. How many parents and families are supported through the PiLaR programme?

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Brilliant. Well done to Ms Parsons. Dentists were mentioned. I wanted to ask the question to Bodywhys' representatives because I am out of the dentist. A dietician was in touch with me during the week. I saw in Bodywhys' opening statement that its website had information on dental resources in conjunction with the Irish Dental Association. The dietician got in touch with me because, in...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Would such a provision, if made, be beneficial to people in that situation?

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: It is probably because Bodywhys' representatives are in this line of work all the time that it would be common enough for them to hear that. When I read that and got in touch with the dietician, I was not aware that was as prominent as it was. Provision should made for that. There is sometimes confusion as to how Bodywhys is funded. Will Ms Hastings clarify how it is funded? Is Bodywhys...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: If Ms Hastings want to disclose it.

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I thank the witnesses.

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: In our earlier discussion, I was not trying to elicit how much funding Bodywhys is getting but I thank the witnesses for sharing that. I was looking for the information in the context of 180,000 people in Ireland who are affected by eating disorders, and up to 1,800 new cases occurring in Ireland each year. Bodywhys currently receives €420,000 in funding from the State. I want to...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I am aware that Bodywhys was critical from the perspective of the people who use its services. I was coming from the perspective of the public money being used. I understand these are two different things, but when I heard that Bodywhys was receiving €420,000 and that "Operation Transformation" was receiving €460,000, I believe that this money could have been spent a lot better.

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: I wish to follow up on a point made by Deputy Kenny around social media and how people are portrayed including photoshopping and filters giving someone an unrealistic image. If I take a photograph with my camera it automatically puts on a filter unless I take it off. I am someone who would say "Let us not go there". I like to get that reinforcement, as everybody does, and I can take it or...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Let us say the Department of Health has its brochures, Internet campaigns and whatever it might be. Should there be a disclosure then if the Department, or a Government organisation, is using filters to make people look better? Should there be a disclosure to say that is being used?

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Exactly. I think the first time I heard it was when I had a meeting with SpunOut and the young people involved were telling me this. I said it was a really good idea. It might be something we can look into. I have one more quick question if that is okay with the Chair. The issue of ARFID was touched on earlier with, I think, Senator Conway. It relates especially to children with...

Joint Committee On Health: Eating Disorders: Bodywhys (17 May 2022)

Mark Ward: Does that pathway involve the child going through the CAMHS system or what would happen then?