Results 81-100 of 3,798 for speaker:Mark Ward

Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: I appreciate the work that has been done by the Minister of State and the HSE in reducing the number of young people who have been admitted into adult psychiatric facilities under her tenure. It is acknowledged and it has worked but, as she knows, I always say that we should set the bar high. Let us aim for zero because that is what we should be aiming for. I am not questioning the...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: It was ruled out of order for the money rule. I find that really disappointing. My concern is that because it has happened in the past, it could happen again. I appreciate that the Minister of State has done an awful lot of work on it over the last while. I wonder what safeguards we could have in place. If there is no appropriate facility where a child can access the appropriate mental...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: The Minister of State and I have had many debates over the years on mental health and dual diagnosis. The very first legislation I introduced here in 2021 was the Health (Amendment) (Dual Diagnosis: No Wrong Door) Bill. I introduced it because working in mental health and addiction services I saw the real need for that. I understand 100% why Deputy Clarke is looking to have this enshrined...

Housing: Statements (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: As we speak, there are 83 vacant homes in my area of South Dublin County Council, five of which have been empty for more than a year. Each one of those homes should have a family living in it. It is disgusting that adults are stuck living in their parents' back bedrooms while the house next door is boarded up. Young people are boarding planes to Australia when they could be starting...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Disability Services (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: At the weekend, I attended the Equality in Education protest in Dublin. The parents I met had a simple message. They want fairness and equality for their children with disabilities in education. No child should be left behind. Every child should get the support they need so they can grow, learn and flourish. Every child should be given every opportunity to reach their full potential....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Disability Services (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 18. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Disability will next meet. [30180/25]

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: I wish to offer my condolences on the death of Mr. Harris's colleague, Garda Flatley. I would like him to pass on my condolences to all of the members of An Garda Síochána for the loss of their colleague. I listened to Mr. Harris's opening statement and to the reports on the media last night relating to the positive aspects of the Garda. I am going to be honest. They do not...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: It was mentioned in the opening statement that there was a new policy being developed on community policing. Would this issue be in the new policy? We need to see something in writing.

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: It would be fair to say that, if there were more gardaí, there would be less workload on the individuals there at present. On that point, the Commissioner mentioned there were 6,700 recent applications to join the Garda. I am aware not every applicant is suitable - I would not even guess how many would be suitable - but what is the capacity each year? Is it 1,000 per year who go...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: My concern is that there could be several suitable applicants in those 6,700 who applied but, because of the length of time they may be waiting, the organisation could lose them. Is there anything we can do to speed up that process?

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: I thank the Commissioner.

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: It was also mentioned in the opening statement the benefits of a new operating model, but the GRA stated at its annual conference that this would single-handedly remove community policing. How do the witnesses marry up these contrasting positions?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 298. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the IT issue with the RSA driving test booking system that is preventing learner drivers who have had more than one provisional licence from applying from booking cancellation slots; the steps he is taking to assist the RSA to resolve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29188/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 312. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drivers with provisional licenses; the number of current learner drivers who have had multiple provisional licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29442/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 357. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if plans are in place to address the additional costs associated with renewing the driver’s licence for persons with a neurological condition, who must renew their driver’s licence three times within ten years, while persons without a neurological condition must only renew once; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 600. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the prefabs at a school (details supplied); when they will be replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29871/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 665. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who is not permitted to continue teaching in special education due to his qualifications not being recognised by the teaching council; to outline what additional course he needs to complete to be able to continue teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30355/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 746. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the rollout of a social housing passport that will allow persons on social housing waiting lists to change local authority without losing time on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (10 Jun 2025)

Mark Ward: 821. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the new towns and cities infrastructure investment fund will be established; the criteria for eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29777/25]