Results 741-760 of 2,396 for speaker:Barry Ward

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Olympic Games (24 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 471. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that athletes that have competed in previous Olympic and Paralympic games, and require further support, are given that support to qualify for Los Angeles 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33769/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reports (24 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 753. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the report recommendations from an organisation (details supplied); the actions she will take to action these recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33575/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (24 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 754. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding frontline workers who are suffering from long Covid; if she proposes to extend the current deadline of 30 June 2025 for support payments to those in this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33584/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 947. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the Mitchell scholarship and the funding for it; if he is supportive of the aims and continuation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/25]

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I have received apologies from Deputy Eamon Scanlon. The first item on our agenda is an engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, to discuss EU General Affairs Council meetings and related EU affairs matters. I welcome the Minister of State and, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Maeve Von Heynitz and Tim Harrington. I thank them for giving us their time...

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a bheith linn agus as an ráiteas soiléir sin a thabhairt. I propose to allow five minutes for questions and answers with some leeway. We will have time to come back around again. I call Senator O'Loughlin.

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I want to give leeway, but we cannot have a conversation where the same things are being said over and over again. I do not think the Minister of State and Senator Andrews are going to agree on this.

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: Senator Andrews, when I am talking you do not talk across me. I am chairing this meeting and we are going to proceed in an orderly way. I will come back to this issue if you want to but we will move now to Senator Lynch.

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister. If I may, I will make a few comments. I do not necessarily expect the Minister to answer them all. First, on our diplomats in such places as Tehran, Tel Aviv and Ramallah, in my experience dealing with Department of Foreign Affairs staff anywhere, we are incredibly lucky to have talented, dedicated, consistently competent staff across the world. They make us proud...

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: We are over time, so we do not have time for a second round. I am sorry about that. I am grateful for the Minister of State’s time.

Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: Definitely. We are more than two hours at it now, so I appreciate the Minister of State’s time. I also thank Ms Von Heynitz and Mr. Harrington for coming along and giving their time and expertise. It was very constructive. There are many issues. We might engage with them again before the end of the calendar year to follow up on issues. We will now go into private session.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Projects (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 11 June 2025; if a timeline can be provided for the estimated completion date of this project and when it will move to the next stage of the design process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32874/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the merits of amending the existing free schoolbook scheme for students in junior cycle years to include students in private schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33022/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (18 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 155. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to two letters dated 6 February 2025 and 3 June 2025 sent to her by a person (details supplied); the actions she will take to address the concerns raised in relation to the recruitment of radiographers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33005/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: European Union (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: As the Minister of State will know, on 23 June 2021 the Hungarian Parliament passed a law significantly curbing the rights of members of the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary. As it came into effect on 1 July 2021, next week that law will have been passed for four years. It is hugely problematic from the point of view of Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. It clearly curbs fundamental...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: European Union (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister of State. I recognise the truth of much of what he said, particularly in terms of Ireland's support for the rule of law toolbox. That is brings us to the root of this issue. I have raised the matter with the Tánaiste. I am aware of his strong stance on this and I respect that hugely. I am also aware that Ireland has a chequered history with dealing with the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 74. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 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. [32763/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I am sure the Minister campaigned, as I did, on the issue of childcare during the election campaign. It has remained a live issue since. We are committed to reducing that cost gradually. It is a commitment in the programme for Government. Will the Minister update us on the progress on that policy?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister for the update. I appreciate the progress that is being made on the fee caps. Is there a timeline for when we can achieve that? I know the commitment is within the lifetime of the Government, but the sooner we can do this the better. As I am sure is the case for the Minister, parents contact me constantly to tell me they are being forced into making unpalatable...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: I acknowledge the progress that has been made and I do not want to belittle that progress. Fees of less than €200 per week are a significant step forward. I appreciate the budgetary commitment I hope we will see later this year in that regard to ensure we continue on that trajectory. I also acknowledge that it is a commitment over the lifetime of this Government, but I know the...