Charles Ward TD

All recent activity captured from oireachtas.ie's public open-data feeds — debate contributions and parliamentary questions. Links open the official record on the Oireachtas website.

Parliamentary questions

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
  An Garda Síochána

  Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Garda cars and vans added to the Garda fleet within Donegal division in the years 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of Garda cars and vans withdrawn from this division during same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Health Services Staff

  Asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in emergency medicine, emergency medicine registrars and senior house officers in emergency medicine that were on duty each night between 8 May and17 May 2026 inclusive, between the hours of 8pm and 8am at Letterkenny University Hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Health Services Staff

  Asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE general dental surgeon posts filled in Donegal as of 19 May 2026; if she will provide the same figures as of 30 June 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Rural
  Departmental Data

  Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of capital projects funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within Donegal in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Tax Code

  Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated first and full-year yield from each percentage point increase in the minimum effective tax rate of persons earning more than €400,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Tax Reliefs

  Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated individual savings per relief and the total full-year savings to the Exchequer from applying only the standard rate of tax to all discretionary tax expenditures; if this table can categorise those reliefs and expenditures that cost in excess of €5 million per annum, and in excess of €10 million per annum in revenue foregone, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Children
  Health Services

  Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of respite hours provided to families in County Donegal in each of the years of 2024 and 2025; the planned level of capacity for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Health Services

  Asked the Minister for Health the number of dietician hours delivered in the community in 2025; the number of patients; the cost of delivering dietician hours in the community in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to funding targeted support hubs for children and families impacted by the defective concrete crisis, given that children and families are experiencing significant trauma, psychological distress and instability as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Enterprise
  National Standards Authority of Ireland

  Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the revised standard I.S. 465 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if landlords with tenancies in place prior to 1 March 2026 will continue to retain the right to terminate a tenancy under section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 where vacant possession is required to carry out remediation works to dwellings affected by defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are in place to ensure that landlords are not placed in a position whereby tenants remain in dwellings deemed unsafe due to defective concrete blocks or where substantial remediation works pose a health and safety risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protections and supports available to tenants residing in dwellings affected by defective concrete blocks where remediation works require temporary or permanent vacation of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if specific guidance has issued, or is planned to issue, to landlords, tenants and the Residential Tenancies Board regarding the interaction between tenancy protections introduced from 1 March 2026 and the operation of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishing Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether FLAG funding for the North West has been paused; whether funding will be made available for Fanad lighthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Housing Provision

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has considered a CALF application for 60 houses in Carndonagh (details supplied); if so, his decision in relation to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Culture
  Sports Facilities

  Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether there has been an update regarding a lease extension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Social Welfare Eligibility

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection if a constituent (details supplied) is forbidden from getting a second Community Welfare Payment when moving into a council house, 14-years after getting a payment when moving into their previous council house; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  Asked the Minister for Health whether a tender for the Buncrana Community Hospital project was ever issued; if so, when; whether a contractor was appointed; if not, the reason public representatives were informed that works would commence in Q1 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  Asked the Minister for Health the specific issues that led to the Buncrana Community Hospital project reverting to pre-tender stage; the reason these issues were not identified earlier, prior to residents being relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  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.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  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.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  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.

• May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Health
  Hospital Facilities

  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.

• May 06, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Climate
  Departmental Funding

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Schemes

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Schemes

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Schemes

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Schemes

  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.

• April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Schemes

  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.

• April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  School Staff

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will immediately reinstate the 2.5 SNAs cut from a school (details supplied).

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Defective Building Materials

  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.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Public Expenditure
  Court Accommodation

  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.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Departmental Bodies

  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.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the legal basis for a practice (details supplied); if he will proceed with a recommended remediation option, given that the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 provides that applicants must be notified of the determination and the reasons for it prior to exercising their right of appeal; the statutory basis, for withholding the chartered engineer's final report from applicants, given that the report forms the basis of the remediation option recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a practice (details supplied), is consistent with the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, which provides that a determination and the reasons for that determination are to be notified to the applicant prior to the exercise of any right of appeal; the way in which an applicant can make an informed decision to accept a remediation option or seek a review where the underlying chartered engineer's report and full technical reasoning are not made available to them at that stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether requiring applicants to make a choice (details supplied) in advance of receiving the full report may undermine fair procedures, transparency and the effective exercise of appeal rights; whether this practice arises from legislation, regulations or administrative guidance issued by his Department or the Housing Agency; and if the latter, to provide copies of any such guidance or template correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review a practice (details supplied) to ensure that applicants are provided with the full chartered engineer's report and reasoning prior to being required to make any decision affecting their rights under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have engaged with any stakeholder groups from sectors (details supplied) examining issues related to the insurance and mortgageability of homes with building defects; and if he will provide details of such engagements, including meeting dates, attendees, and any documentation or proposals shared; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration is being given to introducing a structural risk classification system for residential properties that includes a rating scale to assess structural condition and associated lending or insurance risk; if so, the current status of these proposals; his Department's role in their development; and whether they will be subject to public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil contributions

• May 28, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation
• May 27, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
• May 26, 2026Motion
  Cost of Disability: Motion [Private Members]
• May 20, 2026Motion
  Defence and Neutrality: Motion [Private Members]
• May 19, 2026Debate
  Marine Protected Areas - International Best Practice: Discussion
• May 19, 2026Motion
  Evictions and Rent Hikes: Motion [Private Members]
• May 12, 2026Statement
  International Nurses Day: Statements
• May 07, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• May 06, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• April 29, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
• April 29, 2026Motion
  Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022: Motion
• April 28, 2026Debate
  Seaweed Harvesting and Licensing: Discussion
• April 28, 2026Statement
  Our Rural Future: Statements
• April 23, 2026Debate
  Safety and Well-being of Children Online: Discussion (Resumed)
• April 22, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• April 22, 2026Motion
  Earth Day: Motion [Private Members]
• April 21, 2026Motion
  Special Education: Motion [Private Members]
• April 21, 2026Debate
  Impact of Climate Change on Fish Stocks: Discussion
• April 16, 2026Debate
  State-Provided Childcare Places and Early Childcare Matters: Discussion (Resumed)
• April 16, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• April 14, 2026Debate
  Sea Fisheries Protection and Legislative Framework for Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority: Discussion (Resumed)