Charles Ward TD
100% RDR · Donegal constituency
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 12, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingHousing 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 06, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDefective 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 EducationSchools 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 ClimateDepartmental 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDepartmental 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 HousingDepartmental 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 HousingDepartmental 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 HousingDepartmental 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 HousingDepartmental 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 EducationSchool 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 FinanceDefective 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 FinanceDefective 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 ExpenditureCourt 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 HousingDepartmental 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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 HousingDefective 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.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDefective Building Materials
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the enactment of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Act 2025, and noting that part of the scheme has been administrated by Donegal County Council, when he expect the remainder of the amendments under the Bill to commence administration across all relevant local authorities; and specifically when will eligible applicants be able to submit applications for side-by-side building under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Investigations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current system of proactive market surveillance of concrete construction products, being undertaken by the State; to detail the types of testing now required to ensure such products are fit-for-purpose prior to being placed on the market and used in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Investigations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown, by county of the number of proactive market surveillance inspections carried out in relation to construction products, for the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Investigations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the number of inspections conducted which included testing of aggregates as part of the inspection process for each of the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Investigations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the type and number of corrective actions issued to economic operators arising from inspections; and the number of economic operators that were temporarily or permanently closed due to non-compliance with relevant regulations for the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Bodies
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if the Building Standards Agency (BSA), as recommended in the June 2024 report (details supplied) has been established; if so, to provide details of its current operational status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Bodies
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing levels of the Building Standards Agency; to detail any plans to increase staffing to align with the estimated requirement of approximately 500 personnel, as recommended in the June 2024 report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Bodies
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the drafting and progression of primary legislation required to establish the proposed Building Standards Regulatory Authority (BRSA); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthDepartmental Budgets
Asked the Minister for Health the budget that has been allocated in 2026 to deliver the National Stroke Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthAmbulance Service
Asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year costs of providing three additional rapid response vehicles on a 24-7 basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHealth Services Staff
Asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant maxillofacial surgeons working in the health service; her plans to expand this number; the international recommended best practice ratio of consultant maxillofacial surgeons to population; and Ireland's ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- April 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHealth Services Staff
Asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologists and urology registrars based at Letterkenny University Hospital as of 7 April 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Dáil contributions
- May 12, 2026StatementInternational Nurses Day: Statements
- May 07, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- May 06, 2026OrderofbusinessAn tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
- April 29, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
- April 29, 2026MotionRemediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022: Motion
- April 28, 2026DebateSeaweed Harvesting and Licensing: Discussion
- April 28, 2026StatementOur Rural Future: Statements
- April 23, 2026DebateSafety and Well-being of Children Online: Discussion (Resumed)
- April 22, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 22, 2026MotionEarth Day: Motion [Private Members]
- April 21, 2026MotionSpecial Education: Motion [Private Members]
- April 21, 2026DebateImpact of Climate Change on Fish Stocks: Discussion
- April 16, 2026DebateState-Provided Childcare Places and Early Childcare Matters: Discussion (Resumed)
- April 16, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 14, 2026DebateSea Fisheries Protection and Legislative Framework for Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority: Discussion (Resumed)