Results 61-80 of 1,702 for speaker:Barry Ward

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...

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

Barry Ward: I note the 226 net increase, which is a significant figure and certainly to be praised. In the context of places like where I live in Dún Laoghaire, where the cost of property and rent is much higher, is the Department doing anything to specifically safeguard urban childcare environments where the living costs for people working in those centres might be higher? We know teachers are...

Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: Broadly speaking, LPT is a good thing. When it was introduced I welcomed the fact that it was part of a model to allow local authorities throughout the country to become self-financing and self-supporting. However, I have significant problems with the way it was put together and what the Bill does. In the first instance, local property tax was established to make local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Post Office Network (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 357. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the business case made by postmasters that argued that post offices should have been categorised as retail outlets for the purposes of the power up grant; if this can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32182/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 370. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the merits of providing grants for public facing businesses, including restaurants & cafés, to provide baby changing facilities in both men’s and women’s bathrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some school principals regarding proposed changes to the allocation of special schools (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that these students are not negatively impacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31877/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 506. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the merits of providing low interest, Government-backed bridging loans for people seeking to move to home and are unable to do so due to the cost of finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32178/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 507. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports available to families buying their second home due to the need for additional space but cannot do so due to the cost of finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32180/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 508. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the merits of amending existing first-time buyer supports in cases whereby one member of a couple is a first-time buyer but the other has purchased a property previously; if this can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/25]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Assisted Decision-Making (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 715. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the amount spent or incurred by the Decision Support Service on PR consultants or PR advice in respect of the calendar year 2023, calendar year 2024 and 1 January 2025 to 31 May 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32400/25]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Assisted Decision-Making (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 716. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding a review of the effectiveness of the Director of the Decision Support Service provided for under section 102(3) of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; if it has been completed; the timeline for when the report of the review will be published; and if she will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 858. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of pharmacists regarding the prohibitive cost of the shingles vaccine, despite it being recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee; if her Department has engaged with the manufacturer in any way to seek a reduction in price per unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32385/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Meetings (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 877. To ask the Minister for Health regarding any engagement she has had with an organisation (details supplied); if she plans to meet with this group in advance of the summer Dáil recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32510/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 878. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the level of care and service provided by the National Gender Service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32511/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (17 Jun 2025)

Barry Ward: 879. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the adoption of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines for healthcare professionals working with transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in an Irish context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32512/25]