1071. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the planning permission submissions for two post primary schools in Cherrywood; the status of each application including a timeline for their progression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41673/25]
1143. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the free schoolbook scheme for students in Junior Cycle years; if consideration has been given to including private schools as part of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42693/25]
1144. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the existing free schoolbook scheme for students in Junior Cycle years is under review; if it is proposed to expand this to parents who send their children to private schools but may still require additional financial support to buy schoolbooks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42694/25]
1145. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is conscious of the need to assist parents with the cost of school uniforms; if a Departmental missive could be considered to encourage the use of generic uniform clothing including gym apparel wherever possible could be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42695/25]
1363. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the poor availability of high-speed broadband an area (details supplied); the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/25]
1474. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on any work being carried out by his Department into the population growth of seagulls; their migration patterns and status as a protected species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/25]
1820. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the actions he is taking to ensure that this behaviour is prevented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42182/25]
1992. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles available to An Garda Síochána, by type and age of each vehicle, which division it is attached to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/25]
1993. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles in use by An Garda Síochána that are fully electric; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41709/25]
1994. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of active members of An Garda Síochána, by district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41712/25]
1995. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the net change in the number of members of Garda Síochána since 2023, when retirements, resignations and new recruitments are taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41713/25]
2058. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progression of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 as committed to in the Programme for Government; how this will provide safeguards against SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) suits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42398/25]
2297. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby childcare centres that have no refund policies regarding deposits and upfront fees, regardless of the level of notice provided, when the child will not be taking up a place in their location; if this is permitted under their core funding contract; and if she will make a statement on the ma…
2340. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the need to increase access to therapeutic supports for children in care, through expanded and fully resourced Tusla therapeutic hubs; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41776/25]
2341. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding pension security for foster carers; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41777/25]
2342. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the back to school allowance; if she will consider removing the means testing requirement for foster families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41778/25]
2343. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the rate payable under the foster care allowance; if she is conscious of the need to support foster carers in the context of rising costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41779/25]
2344. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents who fall under fee band F in relation to their childcare fees; if the advertised position of no family paying above €295 per week under new caps will apply to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41780/25]
2406. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any engagement with a group (details supplied) as part of the progression of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42479/25]
2407. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any independent reviews carried out into the Decision Support Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42480/25]
2408. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of members of the Judiciary in relation to the Decision Support Service (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that these concerns are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42482/25]
2584. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 904 of 15 July 2025, if she will engage with a union (details supplied) to encourage the use of European-made medications wherever possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40998/25]
2648. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the protests seeking improvements in trans healthcare on 12 July 2025; the actions she has taken to engage with trans support groups on these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41238/25]
2871. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if she proposes to allow for an independent complaints process under the Decision Support Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42481/25]
Barry Ward
Written
29 Jul 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
3375. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to create a student finance model that will provide interest-free loans to students that do not qualify for SUSI grants to support the associated costs of attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42401/25]