Results 21-40 of 135 for speaker:Charles Ward

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank the Tánaiste for engaging on this matter. The reality is that the defective concrete crisis still leaves many behind. Many community buildings throughout Donegal have been excluded from the scheme and classed as commercial buildings, despite the fact that they are not-for-profit. The scheme must be extended to include these buildings. We are faced with losing community...

Committee on Children and Equality: Business of Joint Committee (22 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on her appointment. In 2007, I became a father for the first time. I have four children. My wife is a deputy principal, so I assume the role of daddy day care. As the only male going to the coffee mornings and meet-ups in 2007, I am used to this. With my last child, there is more of a balance now at the coffee mornings. I look forward to working with members.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Charles Ward: Some 14,000 babies in Gaza will die if aid trucks do not reach them in the next couple of days. Just think about that. We cannot help but question where the humanity is in this world today. Israel is carrying out a blatant, deliberate genocide for the world to see. What are we doing about it? How can we allow this to go on? We are seeing shocking images of dead and dying children every...

Fair and Sustainable Funding for Carers, Home Support and Nursing Homes Support Schemes: Motion [Private Members] (21 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the motion and thank Independent Ireland for bringing it forward. I fully support the motion and its call on the Government to abolish the means test for carers to ensure equal access to financial support, and to recognise the essential social and economic value of care work in communities. I also support its call to provide increased capital...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he will publish the review of the family reunification process that his Department recently undertook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25027/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: When does the Minister of State plan to publish the review the Department undertook on the family reunification process? I understand the review was completed months ago but still has not been published. I would be grateful if he could give an exact timeline as there are many people waiting on its publication.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: Before I became a TD five months ago, I was a healthcare worker in a dementia unit. I had the privilege of working with healthcare workers from many different countries. Unfortunately, many of them are undergoing an horrific experience of being separated from their families, sometimes for years, because of the unfair family reunification system in this country. There are people who are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I have been in touch with the Department about a healthcare worker whose family reunification application was refused because she took a brief drop in income last year due to her pregnancy. She should not be penalised for that or anything like that. It is a time when she should be able to access that family support. I ask the Minister of State to look into this woman’s appeal and to...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Business of Joint Committee (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: Congratulations, Chairman. It is an honour for me, as an islander from Arranmore Island, County Donegal, to be here working with the other committee members, as I will do over the next few years. Inshore fishing is the biggest issue the islands have. It is a lifeline. The inshore fishery, once a thriving industry, is now basically non-existent, bar a few fishers. Islanders, who have...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 296. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures she will take to ensure assessments of needs are completed within the statutory timeline to reduce the waiting lists across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25044/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (15 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 332. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the health system continues to operate on paper records rather than digital records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25043/25]

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (14 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank Deputies Murphy and Coppinger and their staff for bringing this very important legislation forward. I support the Bill and its intention to provide mandatory union recognition where 20% or more of the workforce are members of a union. Union representation is extremely important to ensure that union reps have access to their members' places of work. This is vital. It is also...

Housing and Critical Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion on housing infrastructure, which I support. I thank the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, for taking the time to visit Donegal. He had positive engagement with the 100% Redress Party and the homeowners impacted by defective concrete. It is important for the Minister to see at first-hand the crumbling homes across the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (13 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 507. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has made him aware of consistent and severe flooding in an area of Raphoe (details supplied); if there are plans for flood relief works in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24083/25]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 457. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will make additional funding available in 2025 for additional roads in Donegal to be resurfaced on the local improvement scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23091/25]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 458. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a list of the number of roads in each municipal district in Donegal waiting for the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23092/25]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 459. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a list of all funding for Donegal to spend on the local improvement scheme in each municipal district in Donegal over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23093/25]

Childcare: Motion (7 May 2025)

Charles Ward: I support the Sinn Féin motion on childcare. There is a serious crisis of childcare in this country that has been ongoing for years, yet the Government continuously failed to address it. Parents not only struggle to afford childcare, but also to access it. Accessing childcare is an enormous challenge facing many families across the country but particularly in Donegal. A recent survey...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2025)

Charles Ward: When visiting Letterkenny University Hospital last week, the Minister’s colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, said the location of the new surgical hub has not been decided yet. Donegal is in desperate need of a surgical hub. Patients across the county are forced to travel very long distances to access essential and life-saving care. Letterkenny University...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (7 May 2025)

Charles Ward: 254. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current position of the letter of assurance/ guarantee for those who have completed works under the defective concrete blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22277/25]