634. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider providing a fund to support whistleblowers that lose their employment or future employment opportunities directly due to them speaking out on particular corporate practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45808/25]
633. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider strengthening existing legislation in relation to the possible redress for whistleblowers who experience professional and reputational damage directly due to them speaking out on particular corporate practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45807/25]
632. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his views on whether existing legislation related to the protection of corporate whistleblowers stands up compared to our European neighbours including France and the Netherlands; if competitive research has been carried out into their laws in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45806/25]
523. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby so called vulture funds are charging interest rates on mortgages, significantly above market rates; his views on the impact this is having on persons in this situation; the actions he will take to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45770/25]
522. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding any research carried out by his Department into the merits of developing an individual savings account scheme in Ireland, similar to what is available in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45765/25]
520. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his Department-led review of the fund and investment industry in Ireland, including a specific assessment of the deemed disposal rule; if there is a timeline for the implementation of the report’s recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45707/25]
338. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the lack of standardisation in how taxis accept payment (details supplied); if a standardisation process can be considered to all customers, certainty prior to getting into the car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45928/25]
328. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the amended contract arrangements for standby crews, to active on-duty search and rescue, under the control of the Irish aviation authority (details supplied); his views on whether this change is contrary to laws regarding fair working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45778/25]
129. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the merits of providing targeted support in the form of tax breaks for businesses that rent out clothes, to promote the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/25]
128. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the merits of providing targeted support in the form of tax breaks for businesses that rent out clothes, to promote the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45760/25]
44. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-10/24, adopted on 18 September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45657/25]
3376. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any comparative analysis has been done by his Department into the availability of State-backed low-interest loans, provided by other EU countries, to support students to afford expenses related to attending third level institutions separate to specific fees for their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42402/25]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 matter. [41207/25]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
1033. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider allowing for Brazilian Portuguese to make up an equal part of the existing Portuguese leaving certificate curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41183/25]
1032. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider an update to the leaving certificate Portuguese curriculum and examination to facilitate Brazilian students who speak a Brazilian Portuguese dialect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41182/25]
911. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions he is taking to address concerns related to the potential loss of jobs in the delivery sector due to the progression of drone delivery systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42307/25]
910. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the IDA office in Taiwan will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/25]
636. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider proposing a reduction or eliminating the VAT on clothing repairs and on the renting of clothes to promote the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/25]
488. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/25]
487. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the absence of reciprocal driving licence agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/25]
471. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns around drone delivery services regarding the potential safety risk (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42310/25]
470. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns regarding drone delivery services related to excessive noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42309/25]
469. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns regarding drone delivery services, including privacy and the use of camera data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42308/25]
468. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the work being carried out by his Department regarding the regulation of drone delivery services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42306/25]
336. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/25]
335. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seeks to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/25]