Results 81-100 of 696 for speaker:Mark Ward in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mental Health Services (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: We are coming up to the budget. I would like to know why no additional funding was provided to the national clinical programmes in mental health in 2023. This meant there was no additional funding to expand national clinical programmes for self-harm and suicide, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, eating disorders or early intervention in psychosis. What does this mean for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mental Health Services (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: According to the response I got on 20 July, national clinical programmes did not receive any funding for new posts to expand clinical programme services in 2023. We are approaching budget time and the Opposition Members have to turn into forensic accountants to try to go through what is being said and what is actually being delivered on the ground. Last year, the Minister of State tweeted...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Commission (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: The Minister of State mentioned 33% more referrals to CAMHS. She is right that there have been more referrals but there were also more children referred to CAMHS and not accepted because they did not meet the criteria. That is right across the board. It is different in different CHO areas. In one CHO area, the acceptance rate will be 60% or 70% but in the neighbouring CHO area, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Commission (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: I have the legislation.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Commission (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: 3. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the Government’s response to the Mental Health Commission’s reports into CAMHS; if the Government will accept and implement the 49 recommendations made by the Mental Health Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40786/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Commission (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: Since the recess, there have been several reports by the Mental Health Commission on child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. They have highlighted a failure in governance, risk management, clinical governance, staffing and access to treatment, among other matters. Overall, the reports are a damning indictment of how we care for vulnerable children. I ask for an update on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Commission (21 Sep 2023)

Mark Ward: I want to give the Minister of State some facts. Waiting lists for initial assessments for CAMHS have almost doubled since the Minister of State took the reins in mental health. Hundreds of children have been waiting for more than a year for an appointment with CAMHS. The report also shows issues around monitoring of anti-psychotic medication. In some areas, only 50% of children had...

Situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Statements (13 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: We have all seen Europe's unified stance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It shows just how powerful a force Europe can be in the quest for peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. This has united the European Union in the face of an unjustified war of oppression and tyranny. It is the same force for good, this unwavering support in the face of tyranny, which the...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (12 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: It is very important that we include public consultation in this from the beginning and make a requirement which serves several purposes. It first ensures that people know what the rules are and that they know the law. This is a chance for the people to understand how An Garda operates and for them to feed into consultation. I accept that the Bill states: (i) the Minister; (ii) the...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (12 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: The Minister herself has said that this legislation is very new. It is new for An Garda, for the public and for ourselves in here. As much awareness as we can get out there - I take the Minister's word on it - and an awareness campaign would be very beneficial for the general public. As Deputy Howlin said, what is the harm in having an information campaign within the legislation.

European Council Meeting: Statements, Questions and Answers (12 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: Two weeks ago, during the pre-European Council statements, six Opposition Deputies raised the situation in Palestine and in his closing remarks, the Minister of State did not mention Palestine once. He completely ignored six Opposition Deputies. Will he do the same today in his closing remarks? Will he just stick to the script? I just listened to Deputy Haughey. The Government is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: 52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what plans are in place to address the long waiting-list for people in prison to access psychology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33990/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: Mental health and addiction issues are all too common in the prison population. Information I received from the Department of Justice indicates there are 2,259 people in prison waiting up to two and a half years for mental health treatment. What plans are in place to address the long waiting lists for people in prison to access psychology services?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: There is a high rate of recidivism among people who leave the prison system. Although I agree with the Minister of State that we need to break the cycle, we need to put treatment plans in place for people while they are in prison. Mental health and addiction are always problematic and prominent. It is imperative that people get the help they need while they are in prison. It would lead to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: In the context of referrals into psychology, people in prison are suffering from a multitude of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorder, neurotic and stress-related disorders, disorders of personality and behaviour, complex and other post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, substance use, eating disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, addiction, dementia, cognitive...

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: Sinn Féin supports this legislation. People deserve unhindered access to abortion healthcare services. This is not a new issue. In fact, Sinn Féin's Senator Paul Gavan was the primary sponsor of a similar safe access zone Bill drafted in conjunction with the Together for Safety group. This Bill passed every Stage in the Seanad, but as we have seen before with other Opposition...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: Front-line community drug services are having to turn people away due to the lack of funding. Those concerned have said services are now on life support. I was present for the pre-budget submission by the local drug and alcohol task forces yesterday. The name of the submission is "Services on a Shoestring", and that says it all. The services face a huge increase in demand. I have worked...

Matters Arising in RTÉ: Statements (4 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: -----but they were very reluctant to pay their television licence. If they do not pay their television licence this year, they are liable to fines of up to €2,000 and up to two months in prison. The latest figures available to me show that court proceedings were taken against 11,000 individuals in a single year for not paying their TV licence. That should be put in the context of...

Matters Arising in RTÉ: Statements (4 Jul 2023)

Mark Ward: RTÉ needs root-and-branch reform to end the insider culture. There has been a lot of talk about the culture in RTÉ and protecting "the talent". RTÉ board chair, Ms Siún Ní Raghallaigh, has suggested binning the word "talent", and not before time. The use of the word "talent" is an insult to the ordinary workers in RTÉ. It shows the disconnect between the...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Mark Ward: One of the items on the agenda of the upcoming meeting is that leaders are expected to give further guidance on EU security and defence capacity. In his contribution, will the Taoiseach acknowledge that years of under-investment in our Defence Forces by successive Governments have depleted our defence capabilities? It is little wonder that the Government now wants us to further align with...