Results 2,721-2,740 of 3,611 for speaker:Mark Ward

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 247. To ask the Minister for Health the areas in which the €13 million allocated for existing mental health services in Budget 2022 will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51495/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 250. To ask the Minister for Health the monies returned unspent to the Exchequer from the HSE CAMHS budget in each year from 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51498/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 251. To ask the Minister for Health the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from the budget of his Department in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51499/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2022 (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 252. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the €24 million for new developments in Budget 2022 will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51500/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 253. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on Sharing the Vision recommendations for Budget 2020 and 2021; the status of each recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51501/21]

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I am delighted I made it to the meeting. I did not believe I would. I had a dental appointment this morning, so I listened to the opening statements in the car on the way here. I welcome the witnesses from the ISPCC and Barnardos. We have heard a great deal about how children's lives have been adversely affected through their schools being closed and their clubs and sports not being...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: It is difficult. I have been dealing with families who are doing their best to mind their children, but when their children are outside, it is difficult to mind them all the time. I agree with Ms Connolly. There is a cohort of good young people who are not sporty, in youth clubs or interested in school. When there are gaps in services, young people tend to fall through them, and that is...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I might cut across Mr. Church to ask a question. Without identifying the child, are there pathways of referral? Does the ISPCC ask the child to speak to the one good adult or a sports coach? That is what I was asking about. Is there that pathway?

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I have a final question. I always like finishing on a message of hope. Ms Connolly of Barnardos stated, "We believe that children and families can overcome the additional mental health issues". I believe that as well. Ms Connolly mentioned the challenges from the pandemic but also that, in order to do this effectively, Barnardos will need the appropriate support, which will require...

Joint Committee On Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Children: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I agree 100%. Sometimes we have only a very short window of opportunity to be able to assist people in whatever way they are trying to progress their lives and to make life better. It is incumbent on us to ensure that when they seek a service, there is a service there for them so they can get the care they need when they need it and where they need it. I thank both witnesses.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget 2022 (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: 90. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the €24 million announced for new measures funding for mental health will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50784/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget 2022 (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I, like the many people who advocate for better mental health care, waited with much anticipation for the mental health budget to come out this year. With the emphasis there was on mental health over the past 20 months, I was disappointed to see an allocation of only €24 million in new development funding for mental health. What exactly will this €24 million be spent on? Does...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget 2022 (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I acknowledge the work the Minister of State has done on the €53 million in debts. That was very welcome and did say it would work in a tangible way. To put it into context, the budget she has outlined is the same amount of money that was in the 2008 budget. We have not gone forward since 2008. We are still playing catch-up in the provision of mental health services. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget 2022 (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: Some of the challenges we have relate to our waiting lists. I noted Deputy Cullinane was talking about those for children earlier on. I got a couple of parliamentary question responses back this week. At the moment we have 8,832 people waiting on primary care psychology. Of those, 7,849 of these are children and 3,777 of these children are waiting more than 12 months for treatment. There...

Access of Competent Authorities to Centralised Bank Account Registries: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: The motion is one of several proposals to reform anti-money laundering legislation at EU level. The motion, when ratified, will support the Garda and the Criminal Assets Bureau in tracing the proceeds of crime, which will hopefully assist in the conviction of criminals in Ireland. This is something that needs to be addressed at a European level and also at a national level. For those who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: BreastCheck and National Cancer Control Programme: HSE
BreastCheck Screening Programme and Improving Outcomes for Breast Cancer: Discussion (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I thank the witnesses. I acknowledge the challenges they have experienced over the 20 months of the pandemic and the cyberattack on top of that, which did not help anybody at all. I read this morning that approximately 300,000 cancer screenings were delayed last year as a result of the impact of Covid-19, as testing programmes were suspended in March 2020. As has been said, BreastCheck...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: BreastCheck and National Cancer Control Programme: HSE
BreastCheck Screening Programme and Improving Outcomes for Breast Cancer: Discussion (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: I can see the rationale behind the targeted approach because of resources and the position of the time. Professor Flanagan mentioned being back to pre-Covid levels of screening, which is welcome, but are additional measures required to catch up on what was missed because of delays in the first place? For example, are people only being screened once every three years or is it twice every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: BreastCheck and National Cancer Control Programme: HSE
BreastCheck Screening Programme and Improving Outcomes for Breast Cancer: Discussion (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Ward: Emergency powers were put in place when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. For example, surge capacity was enabled by the HSE accessing private care and bringing it into public service. Did that have an impact on the programme or could that be required in future?