Results 641-660 of 1,929 for speaker:Barry Ward

Housing Commission Report: Statements (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: I recognise the value of the report of the Housing Commission from last May. Of the 83 recommendations, approximately 65 are in train or at an advanced stage, which I welcome. Coming from the constituency of Dún Laoghaire where we have amongst the highest average property prices in the country, there is a real problem for people acquiring property that goes beyond what most people...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: That is exactly the issue that has led me to ask this question, namely the criteria and how the Department assesses whether there is a demand. In my constituency, as I said there are two Gaelcholáistí colocated, Coláiste Íosagáin and Coláiste Eoin, but there is an enormous demand because although there are only two Gaelscoileanna in the adjacent areas - it must...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 11. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7382/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: Is í mo cheist chun an Aire inniu ná faoin tábhacht a bhaineann leis an nGaeloideachas, na Gaelcholáistí agus Gaelscoileanna a chur chun cinn. I am wondering about the Minister's views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaeloideachas, Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. I ask her to make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: I appreciate both the Minister's commitment and the commitment in the programme for Government to Gaeloideachas. There is a huge need. The Minister referred to providing more Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand for it. I assure her there is demand for it, and I will come back to that in a second. There are, as far as I know, only 79 Gaelcholáistí in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 43. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions she will take to address the concerns of the management of a school (details supplied) regarding their existing prefab accommodation and the need to upgrade their heating system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6890/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 105. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the quality and nutritional value of some of the food provided under the hot school meals programme; if he proposes to create guidelines regarding standards and nutritional requirements for service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8484/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 130. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the establishment of a working age payment as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding any ongoing engagement his Department is having with an organisation (details supplied) regarding their pension rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8885/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government (27 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the roll out of contactless fare payments on all public transport as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8917/25]

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: A little over three years ago, when the Russian troops rolled into Ukraine, I think few of us had any confidence that the Ukrainians or the Ukrainian army could resist that attack; barbaric as it was, sudden, yet not entirely unexpected in many quarters, but it was absolutely ferocious. We have been surprised, and perhaps very much impressed, by how Ukrainian forces have managed to not just...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (26 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 98. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 20 February 2025, the position regarding a timeline for when the planned review of the help-to-buy scheme will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8544/25]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reviews (26 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question 185 of 20 February 2025; the position regarding a timeline for the completion of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8407/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the ambition and achievement in the sector and I recognise the amount of money that has been invested, but retention is very important in circumstances where one in four workers in the disability sector will leave the job within a given year. This is three times the average of other sectors. It is important to invest in this and put in place...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: I acknowledge the programmes the Minister of State mentioned. I welcome the appointment of the assistant national director and I look forward to the strategy that will be published this year. We can all agree that the retention of staff in the sector is something that has more than just a financial impact. People who work in the disabilities sector do an incredibly difficult job. It calls...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 119. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding any initiatives or research her Department proposes to attract and retain staff in the disability sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7383/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Stáit. Go n-éirí leo sna poist nua. Is í an cheist atá agam anocht ná seo: cad iad na tionscnaimh atá i bhfeidhm sa Roinn chun foireann agus oibrithe a mhealladh agus a choimeád san earnáil mhíchumais? What initiatives and research does the Department propose to attract and retain...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 162. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the gradual reduction of childcare costs as committed to in the Programme for Government; the steps she has taken to progress this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7381/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to passport photos for young children (details supplied); the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7425/25]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (25 Feb 2025)

Barry Ward: 298. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding any research carried out by his Department into amending capital acquisitions tax exemption levels and related group thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7206/25]