Diplomatic Representation

8. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of establishing embassies in all EU accession countries with a view to increasing diplomatic relations as negotiations on their prospective membership continue. [68253/26]

Disability Services

159. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the decision of the HSE to not publish a report into disability services (details supplied); and if she will engage with the HSE on their decision in this regard. [69264/26]

School Staff

363. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she will take to specifically intervene in the case of a school (details supplied) whereby their allocation of secretary hours has not kept pace with significant growth in pupil numbers and if this can be actioned outside of the national review. [68048/26]

Education Policy

368. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the need to distinguish between exception and twice exception students as part of the Saibhriú pilot programme as outlined in her previous reply. [68119/26]

Capitation Grants

380. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any review of the capitation grant paid to school in light of significant cost increases. [68189/26]

School Staff

405. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a review or assessment available for a school (details supplied) in relation to their allocation under the home school community liaison; and her views whether the current allocation is sufficient. [68667/26]

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Barry Ward I support that call for the change on Chesterfield Avenue. As convener of the Ireland-France Parliamentary Friendship Group, I support any move we can make to solidify that historic and cordial relationship we have with France. I acknowledge the increase in our diplomatic footprint in France that the Minister outlined. We have a great team on the ground, and that is yielding results in its own way. It is a stated aim of the European affairs committee to advance negotiations t

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Barry Ward I entirely agree with what the Minister of State has said about the importance and I also recognise the number of new embassies that have been opened. I was in Moldova last September during the parliamentary elections and I met the ambassador who was setting up the embassy there. Just this week, I attended an EU enlargement conference in Tirana in Albania and I met our Greek ambassador, Ciara O'Floinn, who was not just there and present for the conference in Tirana but was cle

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Barry Ward I thank the Minister of State and I agree with what he said about our missions on the ground. They provide consistent, excellent service to Irish citizens there and here because of the work they do. The Minister of State mentioned trade and there is also cultural engagement, the presence on the ground and increasing the profile of Ireland in these countries. I also recognise what the Minister of State said about the excellent work done by ambassadors who have responsibility,

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Barry Ward I support the increase of Ireland's diplomatic footprint generally. In the European Union it is hugely important that we invest in those relationships. There is no EU country that does not have an embassy here and there is no EU country in which we do not have an embassy. In relation to accession states to the European Union, an issue that, as part of our Presidency, is hugely important, there are at least three that will come into the accession process, hopefully quite soon,