Charles Ward

1178. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the basis on which residents from Buncrana Community Hospital were moved out in May 2025 if the project was not ready to proceed; the assessment that was carried out regarding the impact of relocation on residents and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34948/26]

1179. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Buncrana Community Hospital project in terms of approvals and procurement; whether a clear and guaranteed timeline now be provided for tender issue, contractor appointment and construction commencement and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34949/26]

1180. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the person or body responsible for the communication failures and misinformation provided to public representatives and families regarding Buncrana Community Hospital; the steps being taken to ensure this does not happen again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34950/26]

1181. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to support families impacted by displacement from Buncrana Community Hospital, such as transport supports, or increased visiting access; the efforts being made to address the reduction in bed capacity and respite services in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34951/26]

494. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the financial shortfall being experienced by applicants who do not have access to bridging finance under the defective concrete blocks scheme; if he is aware of the impact of the requirement to retain 10% of the approved grant, combined with the additional retrospective top-up (up to the €462,000 maximum) only being payable upon completion of works; whether consideration will be given to revising the payment structure to alleviate upfront financial burdens, particularly for applicants who are unable to secure loans from financial institutions; if he will review the interaction between the grant scheme and other supports, including SEAI energy upgrade grants, to ensure applicants are not placed under undue financial strain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31976/26]

286. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an ASA scheme application for a school in Donegal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31533/26]

289. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether homeowners in receipt of defective concrete blocks scheme funding remain fully eligible for SEAI grants for energy upgrades; if any restrictions or coordination measures are being introduced between local authorities and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30312/26]

699. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of appeals lodged to date relating specifically to downgraded remediation options under the defective concrete blocks scheme; the number of such appeals in each county, , including a separate identification of Donegal; the number of such appeals submitted in each month since the establishment of the appeals panels, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30245/26]

700. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of appeals relating to downgraded remediation options that have been withdrawn to date; the number of such withdrawals in each month; the reason recorded in each case for withdrawal; whether the reason for withdrawal is recorded as a mandatory field in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30246/26]

701. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants who, having initiated an appeal in respect of a downgraded remediation option, subsequently opted to pursue a technical review instead; whether such cases are included in, excluded from, or separately classified within appeal statistics; the number of such cases currently recorded; the stage at which such cases are removed or reclassified within the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30247/26]

702. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of appeals relating to downgraded remediation options determined to date by the appeals panels; the outcome in each case, including the number overturned resulting in an upgrade in remediation option; the number upheld; the number remitted for further inspection or reassessment; the average and median time taken to determine such appeals, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30248/26]

703. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of appeals relating to downgraded remediation options currently awaiting determination by the appeals panels; the length of time each such appeal has been awaiting decision, categorised, by time bands; if he will confirm that this figure excludes withdrawn appeals and cases where applicants opted for a technical review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30249/26]

704. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name of each engineer and engineering firm currently operating under the Housing Agency framework panels in relation to the defective concrete blocks scheme; the date of appointment of each; the criteria applied for inclusion on the panels; whether any firms or individuals have been removed or suspended and the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30250/26]

705. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions on appeals relating to downgraded remediation options under the defective concrete blocks scheme, whether he or his Department holds the data requested; if not, whether the appeals panels or any associated bodies hold such data; if the data is held by an independent body, whether he will engage with the relevant body or bodies, including the appeals panels and/or the Housing Agency, to obtain and provide this information to Dáil Éireann; whether any legal or administrative barriers exist to the provision of such data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30251/26]

711. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for maintaining separate cost calculation methodologies for the defective concrete blocks grant scheme and SEAI energy upgrade grants; whether this separation explicitly excludes energy efficiency upgrades from the DCB scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30310/26]

712. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the unit rates used in the defective concrete blocks scheme are aligned with 2007 Building Regulations or another baseline; the reason current building regulations standards are not applied in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30311/26]

713. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there are plans to align the defective concrete blocks scheme with current energy efficiency standards in future revisions; and if discussions have taken place with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30316/26]

714. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that the defective concrete blocks grant scheme applies unit rates aligned to 2007 Building Regulations, and further given that certain elements of construction such as double glazing to 2007 specifications are no longer commercially available, whether the use of currently available alternatives such as triple glazing is classified as "betterment" rather than necessary replacement within the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30317/26]

730. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the definition of “betterment” under the defective concrete blocks scheme; whether upgrades such as triple glazing and heat pumps are formally excluded from grant eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30665/26]

117. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will immediately reinstate the 2.5 SNAs cut from a school (details supplied). [14307/26]

581. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed relocation plan relating to Elm Park, Buncrana, County Donegal; the scope and objectives of this plan; if a final decision has been made in respect of the relocation; to provide a timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28606/26]

897. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his Department have engaged with any stakeholder groups from sectors (details supplied) including representatives from currently examining issues related to the insurance and mortgageability of homes affected by defective concrete and other building defects; if he will provide details of such engagements, including meeting dates, attendees, and any documentation, proposals, or recommendations shared with his Department or agencies such as the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24129/26]

898. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if lenders or insurers are considering introducing a structural risk classification system for residential properties, including a rating scale to assess structural condition and lending or insurance risk; if he has engaged with financial institutions or insurers regarding this potential system and its implications for mortgage access, insurance cover and property values; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24130/26]

1066. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on his meeting with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to the repairs and re-opening of the Donegal town Courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/26]

1620. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the current and projected funding arrangements for the establishment of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority; the reason for the absence of dedicated budget line items since 2024 to support its development and implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27128/26]