Results 2,321-2,340 of 3,808 for speaker:Mark Ward

Carbon Budget: Motion (6 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: Several people contacted me about increases in carbon tax on foot of this debate. These carbon budgets are not to be confused with the upcoming increases in carbon tax proposed by Government. Sinn Féin will oppose the increase carbon tax. It is out of touch with the increase in the cost of living, as was said by the Minister's colleague just before me, that ordinary workers and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Diagnoses (6 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: 238. To ask the Minister for Health if the children with disabilities who received a preliminary team assessment instead of an assessment of needs will be called back for an assessment of need in compliance with the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: 250. To ask the Minister for Finance if the public can make a formal submission to the consultation process in relation to the primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18102/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: 677. To ask the Minister for Health if a list of CAMHS staff employed for the Clondalkin area will be provided; the roles of each; the number of vacancies that exist in each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17488/22]

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I thank our guests. I welcome the speakers from Shine and the Psychological Society of Ireland. We are near the end of this phase of pre-legislative scrutiny and the committee has heard from many witnesses in recent months, some of whom have contradictory opinions on certain aspects of the Mental Health Act. At our most recent meeting, we were joined by representatives of the College of...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: In the second session today, representatives of the Mental Health Commission will appear before the committee. Has the Mental Health Commission developed or should it develop codes on restraints and seclusion?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I will ask that question later on. I just wanted to be clear about that.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I thank Ms Vidal for sharing that. It is important to have the voice of people in these meetings.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: My next question is for the representatives from the Psychological Society of Ireland. We have seen recently that CAMHS in South Kerry seemed to rely on an ungoverned medical model because of the lack of resources - not just psychological services but also, as we have mentioned, multidisciplinary teams. That does not just apply in South Kerry CAMHS but seems to be endemic across the system....

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: Yes.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I do not wish to pit one group of psychologists against another. I would not do that. There seems to be a discrepancy in the amount of resources for clinical trainee psychologists and educational and counselling psychologists. Is there a way of bringing them in line so both can have parity and the same chance of getting qualified?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: On that point, Dr. Kehoe is preaching to the converted. One of the big gaps in service is the lack of 24-7 emergency access to mental health treatment. There are a couple of pilot projects being run in County Galway at the moment. They seem to be working well, which is welcome. I know that a pilot will also be launched in Limerick later this year that involves An Garda Síochána....

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I will, very briefly, as I did not think that I would have an opportunity to do so. I will return to what we were discussing earlier on and the different opinions of witnesses who have appeared before the committee, and even such differences between the Minister of State, in fairness to her, and the HSE. I wish to discuss the issue of the reappointment of a national director for mental...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: We are in a bizarre situation now. In fairness to the Minister of State, she is calling for the reappointment of the national clinical director for mental health and the HSE is putting up barriers left, right and centre. It is very reluctant to make this reappointment. Leaving political stuff aside, I am on the same page as the Minister of State on this one. I support her 100% on that....

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: Ms Byrne met a number of people directly affected by the condition she just mentioned. How do they feel their voices were heard in this process? We have heard that some people feel they were excluded from the process through the use of language or through not getting notification that the process was happening.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I thank all the witnesses. As they are probably aware, we are at the end of this phase of our pre-legislative scrutiny and of hearing from witnesses. During this process, we have received many different and contradictory opinions. Having these witnesses at the same meeting is a good development, because they have different opinions on various aspects of this proposed legislation. On...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I have a follow-up question on that for Mr. Farrelly. I agree that legislation should not be led by resources. Legislation should be put in place and resources should follow to make sure the legislation is properly implemented. On that note, does Mr. Farrelly believe a prohibition on placing children in adult facilities should be enshrined in this legislation?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Apr 2022)

Mark Ward: I agree with that. I do not think legislation is a panacea for everything. Only last week we heard about the children who were failed because they could not get an assessment of needs within six months, as per the Disability Act. There is legislation in place for that but it did not happen. That said, including it in the legislation will put pressure on the Government to make sure...