Results 1-20 of 692 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Mark Ward

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Mark Ward: Yesterday, alongside my colleague, Councillor Daithí Doolin, and other public representatives, including Members from both sides of the House, I stood in solidarity with the families of residents of the willow and sycamore units in Cherry Orchard Hospital. The families I met yesterday have called for urgent action to be taken by the CEO of the HSE and the Minister to address their...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Mark Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Sinn Féin is determined to work towards a future where all children get to go to school with their siblings and peers. At the moment, this is simply not happening. I spoke with members of the Clondalkin autism support group this morning. They outlined many of the challenges that children with special educational needs face. They...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Mark Ward: Many aspects of this Bill are welcome. However, following on from report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, it seems that the Government is determined to squander this opportunity. Poor pay and conditions in the Defence Forces are not a new phenomenon. I speak as the son of a former Defence Forces veteran. My father spent 25 years serving this country at home and abroad. I saw...

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2024)

Mark Ward: I wish to share time with Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Ó Murchú.

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2024)

Mark Ward: I was a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when I heard at first hand the heartbreaking testimonies of those affected by the mother and baby homes. The last time I spoke on this issue, I read testimonies that survivors made to the commission of investigation. I will read again some of these testimonies because it is important to hear these...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (1 May 2024)

Mark Ward: I want to raise a niche issue in housing, which is the social housing passport. It provides for someone to move from one local authority housing list to another. At present, people on the Dublin City Council list cannot move over to the South Dublin County Council list without losing their time. I will give an example of why this is needed. I have a constituent living in Newcastle, County...

Health (Waiting Lists) Bill 2024: First Stage (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: Parents of children with disabilities who are being failed by the public system should automatically be able to avail of private treatment for their children at the State's expense. Parents of children with disabilities who are waiting for assessments of need currently face extraordinarily long waiting times. While waiting for these assessments, children are often failing to reach their...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: Will the Minister of State meet the families?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: Last November, 68 elderly residents living in the Willow and Sycamore units in Cherry Orchard were told they would have to move out of their home. So far, 40 residents have moved and approximately 16 remain. At least 19 residents have died during this period. Families have been protesting outside Cherry Orchard since November. Information I received in November highlighted structural...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: I would meet the residents.

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: I feel the same as Deputy Gould. When you are in the throes of addiction you can lose hope. It is a really dark place to be. When you enter into recovery you get your hope back and it is an absolutely fantastic place to be. I was at a presentation at a recovery café and other parts of an addiction centre today and I could see the hope and the recovery in the room. The people in...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: I will speak to amendment No. 17. It is a common-sense amendment. People with lived experience add value. It is not only me saying that as it is evidence-based and has been proven. I worked in addiction services for countless years before I came in here and I have seen people with drug problems, alcohol problems and gambling problems. I have also seen these people recover. I have...

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: There is nothing worse than turning on the news and the first item covers the most recent road deaths. Unfortunately, this is all too regular an occurrence. We listen to families speaking about the tragic and heartbreaking loss of a loved one. Even though the devastation is so visible, road deaths continue to soar. Road fatalities increased from 155 in 2022 to 184 in 2023 and there have...

Disability Justice: Motion [Private Members] (17 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: I want to use my limited time to speak about how children with disabilities are being failed by the Government. I acknowledge this is more related to the brief of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, than that of the Minister present, Deputy Humphreys. I will give the example of a young boy from my constituency, whom I will call John for the purpose of anonymity. John is 11 years old...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: 76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to increase the capacity of public buses along the C spine route from Lucan; what measures are being taken to address overcrowded buses at peak times along this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: A number of residents from Lucan and Palmerstown have contacted me regarding problems they have experienced along the C spine route. Are there any plans to increase capacity or public buses along the C spine route from Lucan? What measures are being taken to address the overcrowding on buses at peak times along this route? As someone who lives on the route, I can empathise with people who...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I thank the Minister. I will touch on the increased capacity in a moment. I received a number of emails on behalf of constituents in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown. One person said they wrote as a concerned resident of Lucan regarding the state of our local bus routes, specifically the C1 and C2 services. The person said that, as I may be aware, the recent increase in population due to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: If I get onto the C spine route at my bus stop, the route is very good and it takes about 25 minutes to reach the city centre. There are bus lanes all the way. The problem is that by the time the bus gets to my stop, it is full and passes me by. I would love to be able to use public transport to get in and out of work but I simply cannot rely on the service. I am not alone. There are...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: The EU waste management policy highlights the need to reduce waste and dumping, and to reach our recycling targets. I highlight the campaign led by Sinn Féin councillor and European election candidate Daithí Doolan to bring the bins back into public ownership. Monthly bin charges jumped by 48% last year. Customers are charged for brown bin collections. These price hikes are...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: I join Deputy Higgins in calling for a new extension and the refurbishment of the existing building in Lucan Community College. I have to point out to the Deputy that you are in a party of Government that has been in government for the past 13 years, that has seen the list that goes on and on and the failures-----