214. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount that each Irish Honorary Consulate received in consulate fees in 2024 and for the first nine months of 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61813/25]
213. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to visit Greece before the end of 2025 to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation ahead of Ireland's EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61812/25]
262. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review of costings (details supplied) that underpin the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; if he accepts that these costings are now significantly out of date given current construction inflation and market conditions; and if he will confirm when the long-overdue re-evaluation of these costings will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60604/25]
209. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status of defective homes built on a flood plain at a location (details supplied); the predicted cost of installing flood defences; whether he will consider relocating the residents of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60546/25]
88. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the operation of the local property tax exemption for homeowners whose properties are affected by defective concrete; if there is a time limit attached to this exemption; if so, the rationale for imposing a time limit in cases where the property remains defective, has not been remediated and therefore has little or no market value, or in some cases a negative value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60231/25]
1050. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that homeowners that have received emails from the Housing Agency, confirming that third party chartered engineering consultancy services providers have apparently experienced a cyber incident affecting its IT systems (details supplied); if he will urgently seek absolute assurance from the Housing Agency that no data has been lost or compromised that would be subject to examination or investigation by the Independent Appeals Panel or the Office of the Information Commissioner as part of the appeals or complaints processes undertaken by homeowners who have had the recommendations of their State appointed engineers overturned by the Housing Agency [58774/25]
999. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the scope of powers available to the appeals panel established under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 and related regulations; specifically, if he will confirm whether the appeals panel has the authority to reinstate a homeowner’s original engineer-determined remediation option, as assessed prior to the transfer of technical functions from local authorities to the Housing Agency; to confirm whether the panel’s powers are limited to annulling a decision and directing that a dwelling be reconsidered, rather than substituting or reinstating a previous technical determination; to outline the steps he intends to take to ensure fairness and transparency for homeowners whose original engineer’s findings were downgraded or disregarded in the process of reassessment by the Housing Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57776/25]
998. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the position regarding the eligibility of apartments, duplexes and other multi-unit dwellings under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the reason, under the previous scheme, the term “dwelling” was defined to include a house, apartment, duplex or maisonette, whereas under the enhanced scheme, the term “dwelling” is now restricted to a house, thereby excluding apartments, maisonettes and duplexes; if he will acknowledge that, in view of this legislative change, it is incorrect to suggest that all affected homes can be remediated, as only certain types of homes are eligible; if he will outline the actions he intends to take to rectify this matter and ensure that residents of apartments and multi-unit developments are not excluded from access to redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57775/25]
997. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the amendment to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme asserts that homeowners who completed remediation early were not disadvantaged by the transitional provisions of the 2022 Act; given that 43 homeowners completed remediation prior to the proposed cut-off for retrospective increases, to clarify how these homeowners will benefit from the increased grant cap and rates; to provide details of his Department's plan to ensure that no early mover is financially penalised as a result of the scheme's retrospective provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57765/25]
996. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the proposed legislative amendments to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, including whether these amendments will recognise that all homeowners affected by defective concrete are in a vulnerable position, thus include provisions to allow for side-by-side remediation or rebuilding where possible, in order to ensure equitable treatment and protection of homeowners' rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57763/25]
995. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to ensure that the voices and experiences of homeowners affected by defective concrete are adequately represented and reflected in the drafting of proposed legislative amendments to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, including any formal consultation, submissions or engagement processes; the means by which his Department will verify that these perspectives inform the content and implementation of the amendments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57762/25]
994. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which his Department's continuation of partial remediation complies with its statutory, constitutional and public law obligations, including the duty to act reasonably, proportionately and in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57761/25]
993. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to mitigate the severe mental and psychological harm caused by prolonged uncertainty and limbo caused by waiting for reviews, as documented in research such as "An Earthquake in Slow Motion"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57760/25]
992. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to protect the physical safety and health of homeowners currently living in unsafe properties subject to partial remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57759/25]
991. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the legal and policy basis on which his Department considers it reasonable and proportionate to allow homeowners to remain in dwellings subject to partial remediation, exposed to known structural risk, progressive property deterioration, and significant financial burden, pending a revision of I.S. 465 and the option of a technical review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57758/25]
990. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that the structural risks associated with defective concrete, including pyrrhotite and sulphate attack, are already scientifically established, the reason his Department has not suspended partial remediation and implemented immediate, full, State-managed remediation to protect homeowners from ongoing structural, financial and health harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57757/25]
989. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the evidence, including reports, submissions, correspondence, or consultation records, on which his Department relies to assert that the defective concrete blocks grant scheme was designed to reflect the preferences of affected homeowners regarding remediation options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57756/25]
988. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the appeals panel has submitted any formal reports, recommendations or advice to the Department or Minister since its constitution; if so, to provide summaries or copies of such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57755/25]
987. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the dates, locations and attendance of all formal meetings of the statutory appeals panel under the defective concrete blocks scheme since its constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57754/25]
986. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department intends to publish the activities, meetings, or outputs of the homeowner liaison officer; whether a regular report on engagement with homeowners will be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57753/25]
985. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether the homeowner liaison officer participates in the defective concrete blocks implementation steering group or any of its sub-groups; whether the officer is empowered to represent the views of homeowners in these forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57752/25]
984. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the official terms of reference, remit, and reporting lines for the homeowner liaison officer; to confirm whether the officer has any authority to influence decision-making, escalate issues, or ensure that homeowners' concerns are addressed in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57751/25]
983. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which his Department ensures accountability and transparency in the operation of the defective concrete blocks scheme, given that the homeowner liaison officer has not formally engaged with homeowners in any structured meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57750/25]
982. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide copies of all emails, meeting notes, correspondence, or briefing documents generated by or submitted to the homeowner liaison officer regarding interactions with affected homeowners since the Officer's appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57749/25]
981. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of any formal mechanisms, structures, or processes in place for affected homeowners to provide input, feedback, or recommendations to his Department or the defective concrete blocks implementation steering group; if none exist, the reason homeowners are excluded from these decision-making processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57748/25]
980. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether the homeowner liaison officer appointed under the defective concrete blocks scheme has ever met with affected homeowners in a formal consultative structure, either in person or virtually; if not, the reason such engagement has not taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57747/25]
720. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a child with autism (details supplied) will not be given an SNA this year, nor will three other children in the same class with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58429/25]
452. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Finance the ‘market value’ homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks are expected to declare for local property tax purposes, given that many of these homes are structurally unsound, unmortgageable, and effectively unsellable in some cases having a negative market value due to the cost of demolition and reconstruction far exceeding any residual land value; and the specific guidance the Revenue Commissioners have issued to such homeowners to ensure they are not unfairly taxed on properties that have, in economic terms, no marketable value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57985/25]
178. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health if she will sanction the appointment of a WTE consultant paediatric endocrinologist into Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) which has been listed by Government and HSE guidelines as a critical resource needed since 2015, and has been included in LUH estimates for 2025, (but still not sanctioned), to fully support children with type 1 diabetes and their families living in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57491/25]
801. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated in Budget 2026 or through the HSE Capital Plan for the Radharc na Sléibhte supervised residential unit (SRU) in Carndonagh, County Donegal; the status of the capital funding application previously referenced by the HSE to transition the facility into a recovery-focused crisis and step-down unit; if any portion of the €15 million national allocation for crisis supports and suicide prevention, or the 300 additional whole-time equivalent mental health posts announced under Budget 2026, will be assigned to Donegal or the Inishowen area; the plans to retain or enhance the existing SRU service model in Carndonagh to ensure continuity of care for local residents, given the essential mental health role this facility provides in a rural region with limited service access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56840/25]
492. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding for Traveller accommodation applied for by each housing authority per year from 2024 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57232/25]
491. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that his relevant Department officials participate in the Multi- Stakeholder Working Group including representative groups (details supplied) established to address the range of problems affecting victims of the defective concrete block crisis, given the need to restore a normal and functioning housing market in the affected counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57230/25]
387. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the emergency funding application submitted by a school (details supplied), regarding structural issues arising from defective concrete; if her Department has completed or commenced an assessment of the extent of the defects; the interim measures being put in place to ensure the safety of pupils and staff; and if she will outline the expected timelines for decision, approval, and commencement of any approved works. [56601/25]
460. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child with autism (details supplied) will obtain an urgent NEPS report;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55093/25]
682. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the current emergency out of hours mental health services that are currently available in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53692/25]
680. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent job offers that Letterkenny University Hospital made to newly graduated radiographers to work in the hospital in 2025; of the number of jobs offered, the number of persons that accepted the offer, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53681/25]
679. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent job offers that Letterkenny University Hospital made to newly graduated physiotherapists to work in the hospital in 2025; and the number of persons that accepted these offers, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53680/25]
678. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached regarding the healthcare investment framework for the supervised residential unit at a location (details supplied). [53673/25]
675. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances which are available on a 24-7 basis at each ambulance station within Donegal in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53619/25]
674. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the current up-to-date position regarding a centre of excellence for diabetes care at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53618/25]
526. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current vacancies by job title within Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team based in Donegal; the timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53627/25]
493. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works on a new smooth point phase three at Killybegs Fisheries Harbour Centre will be fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53625/25]
492. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works on a new passenger embarkation pontoon at Killybegs Fisheries Harbour Centre will be fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53624/25]
442. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has spoken formally with the President of Interpol since his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53626/25]
308. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the defective concrete blocks social homes scheme intended to provide remediation for local authority and approved housing body-owned dwellings; if he will clarify when this scheme has been formally implemented in Donegal; the timelines envisaged for its roll-out; the means by which applications will be triaged for remediation works; whether the damage threshold criteria applied under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme will also apply to these dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53667/25]
307. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of transitional applications that remain to be processed by the Housing Agency arising from the transfer of applications from the original defective concrete blocks grant scheme to the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53666/25]
289. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he accepts that in the current absence of statutory clarity on the interaction between appeals and technical reviews under the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme, homeowners risk making life-changing decisions without knowing the consequences; if he will urgently provide definitive guidance to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53268/25]