Trees Set Ablaze for Second Time Threaten Safety of Families

Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh is calling for faster enforcement action by local authorities to intervene where trees on privately owned land parcels are not being maintained. This follows a serious incident last Thursday might, when trees that help to form a boundary between 10 homes in Old Forge and Haydens Lane in Lucan

Minister’s excuses for failures in Eating Disorder services are unacceptable – Mark Ward TD

Minister’s excuses for failures in Eating Disorder services are unacceptable – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called for greater investment into eating disorder services. Information received by Deputy Ward stated that between 2018 and 2022, 718 adults presented to the HSE with a primary diagnosis of an

LGBTQI+ Community experiencing decline in overall mental health – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for mental health, Mark Ward TD, has called for more action in mental health services to assist members of the LGBTQI+ community. Deputy Ward was speaking following the publishing of research by Trinity College Dublin, “Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland” which highlighted the declining mental health of the LGBTQI+ community. Teachta Ward said:

Tourism and Community Amenity – Planned for Lucan House

Proposed plans for the former Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Lucan Village were presented to Councillors of the Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill Area Committee at Tuesday’s (23rd) meeting. The sale of ‘Lucan House’ is expected to close in June with a formal handover event to be arranged. Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking following the meeting and

“Kennelsfort road bus shelters are badly needed” – Daniel Loftus Rep. and Niamh Fennel Rep.

Sinn Fein representatives state delays to the active travel scheme are delaying the installation of multiple bus shelters along the Kennelsfort road. Sinn Féin local election candidate for Palmerstown, Daniel Loftus said: “After representations from Niamh Fennell, Mark Ward TD, and myself the NTA have reported that they have carried out a review of the

Almost 9,000 Tallaght Hospital cancellations in 2023 – Mark Ward TD

Almost 9,000  Tallaght Hospital cancellations in 2023 – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward has revealed that hospital cancellations in Tallaght University Hospital reached  8,673 in 2023. Deputy Ward said that the Government’s lack of a plan for overcrowding was impacting directly on waiting lists through cancellations. He said that

Post code lottery for psychology services for 18,000 children is unacceptable – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has highlighted the unacceptable post code care that is present in psychology services across the state. Deputy Ward was speaking after raising this week the growing waiting lists in psychology services under this Government. 18,368 children are waiting on primary care psychology services as of February

Cost of Graffiti Removal Almost Doubles

It is estimated that the cost of removing graffiti will almost double in 2024 according to Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh. The councillor is calling for tougher measures and penalties for those bent on mindlessly spray painting our public spaces. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said; “In 2023 South Dublin County Council spent €71,000 on graffiti

Psychology waiting lists have doubled under this Government – Mark Ward TD

Psychology waiting lists have doubled under this Government – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said Government have failed children following the release of waiting list figures for primary care psychology which has doubled under this Government. 21,132 people are waiting on primary care psychology services as of

Funding must be allocated for Eating Disorder Services – Mark Ward TD

Funding must be allocated  for Eating Disorder Services. Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called on the Minister for Health to invest additional funding into eating disorder services for 2024. Deputy Ward was speaking after receiving a parliamentary question response from the HSE which highlighted the need for

Sinn Féin welcome upgrade of Quarryvale park – Sinn Féin Rep. Daniel Loftus

South Dublin County Council have confirmed that the €1.785 million upgrade works allocated for Quarryvale Park will begin in May 2024 and last for six months. Sinn Féin local election candidate for Quarryvale, Daniel Loftus said: “South Dublin County Council have confirmed at the April council meeting that the upgrade works in Quarryvale park will

Dual Diagnosis service to remain closed despite Government promises. Mark Ward

Dual Diagnosis service to remain closed despite Government promises. Mark Ward TD Sinn Fein spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD criticised the Government for not funding the reopening of a public Dual Diagnosis service. Keltoi a trauma-informed, state-run residential facility treating addiction and mental health dual diagnosis was closed in March 2020. In a

National Spring Clean Month Launched at New Airlie Park

This year’s South Dublin County Council ‘National Spring Clean’ was officially launched at the Council’s new Airlie Park in Lucan on Tuesday. The event that runs for the month of April was welcomed by local Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said; “I was delighted that the Council took the decision to

Draft transport strategy doomed to fail without significant improvement in public transport investment – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward, has reacted to the announcement of a draft transport strategy which was signed off by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and the wider cabinet yesterday.  The strategy includes measures to phase out the diesel rebate scheme and the introduction of congestion charges for those using roads across

Clondalkin LAP

Cllr William Carey (SF) has called on all interested parties, including residents groups and local business owners to engage with the Clondalkin Local Area Plan consultation process. SDCC are currently conducting a consultation process aimed at gauging public opinion for a comprehensive plan for Clondalkin village and the surrounds. On March 7th and 13th SDCC

Minister must publish legal advice on regulation of CAMHS – Mark Ward TD

Minister must publish legal advice on regulation of CAMHS – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said Minister Butler  must publish legal advice on regulation of CAMHS Deputy Ward was speaking after receiving a parliamentary question response from Minister Mary Butler in which she said she had received

Funding Shortfall Leads to Mental Health Redundancies at Jigsaw – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on mental health, Mark Ward TD, has called on the Government to reexamine its decision to reduce funding for Jigsaw. Deputy Ward was contacted directly with reports  that Jigsaw has received almost €1 million less this year from the HSE which has already led to redundancies at the youth mental health organisation.

Disruption to Postal Services Causing Havoc in Lucan

‘Redesign’ changes to An Post operations are causing very severe disruptions for large swathes of Lucan residents, businesses and local service operators according to one South Dublin County Councillor. Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh represents Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill and has said that he has already received several complaints and queries from households and resident

Dublin Mid-West secondary school enrolment crisis set to continue due to government’s lack of planning – Eoin Ó Broin TD and Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TDs Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward have called on government to address the delays in school capital projects in Dublin Mid-West immediately. An unpublished school capacity survey found that three out of four parents are unable to secure spots at oversubscribed secondary schools. Teachta Ó Broin said: “Shortages of school places in

Government must listen to people with disabilities in Dublin Mid-West and bin the Green Paper – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has said that the government must listen to people with disabilities in Dublin mid-West and bin the Green Paper on disability payment reforms. Deputy Ward added that the consultation process demonstrated the government’s lack of respect, and that the voices of people with disabilities must be heard. Teachta Ward said:

No urgency to fund Early Intervention Psychosis

No urgency to fund Early Intervention Psychosis Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health Mark Ward TD has called the Government’s failure to resources Early Intervention Psychosis (EIP) a blatant disregard of their duty of care to those experiencing mental health difficulties. The National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis has not received additional funding

Government must end ‘scandalous’ delay to legislation banning state investment in illegal Israeli settlements – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward, has demanded that government allow the progression of Sinn Féin legislation banning the state from investing in companies that profit from illegal Israeli settlements. The Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023 was introduced by Sinn Féin TD John Brady. On Friday, government instructed the Business Committee to

Government fail adults with ADHD – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has criticised the Government’s failure in ADHD care for adults. Deputy Ward was speaking following a parliamentary question response which highlighted the lack of additional funding allocated to the National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults. Additional funding was sought in 2023 and 2024 but this

3 year delay of vital eating disorder services is unacceptable – Mark Ward TD

3 year delay of vital eating disorder services is unacceptable  – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has said that the further delays in the long-awaited eating disorder service in Mount Carmel Hospital are unacceptable. The facility was due to open in late 2021 before being initially delayed until

ADHD care not a priority for this Government – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has highlighted the Government lack of priority for ADHD care. Deputy Ward was speaking following the revelation that ADHD Ireland’s Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme (UMAAP) has not received funding for 2024. UMAAP plays a crucial role in providing support and guidance to adults across

Government Must Not Kick Improvements in Children’s Mental Health Down the Road

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for mental health, Mark Ward TD, has said that it is not too late to deliver quality care in child and youth mental health services. Deputy Ward was speaking after leaders’ questions where Paschal Donohue said that Government will kick legislation, that would regulate CAMHS, down the road. Teachta Ward said: “Sinn

Waste Operator ‘Transaction Fees’ – A Cause of Concern

Some concerned customers of domestic waste operator Greyhound have reported having surcharges applied, for choosing to pay their domestic waste bin charges by credit or debit card. According to one local county councillor representing residents in Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill, Greyhound customers have contacted him about the recent introduction of a surcharge, described on account holder’s

Call for dangerous junction to addressed

Cllr William Carey (SF) has called for TII and SDCC to form a working group to address the existing dangers at the junction of Naas Rd and Boot Road, Clondalkin. At Wednesday’s local area committee meeting for Clondalkin,Newcastle,Rathcoole Saggart & Brittas  Cllr Carey again raised the issue through a motion calling for action. According to

Dual Diagnosis: No Wrong Door Bill passes second stage – Mark Ward TD

Dual Diagnosis: No Wrong Door Bill passes second stage – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said his legislation can plug gaps between mental health and addiction services. Deputy Ward was speaking following his legislation the Dual Diagnosis: No Wrong Door Bill 2021, passed Second Stage in the

Children’s Mental Health services fail again. Mark Ward TD

Children’s Mental Health services fail again. Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has echoed calls by the Children’s Rights Alliance, that Government is failing in child and youth mental health. Deputy Ward was speaking following the publishing of the Children’s Rights Alliance annual report card where the Government received an E grade

Clondalkin Community Mental Health Service at Crisis point

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called the vacancies in Clondalkin Community Mental Health Services a crisis. Deputy Ward was speaking following receiving a parliamentary response which highlighted that there are 17 vacancies in Clondalkin Mental Health Service. Teachta Ward said: “Our community mental health teams are unacceptably understaffed. This is

Garda Reserve recruitment welcome but government must implement full Sinn Féin community safety proposals – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Justice that a Garda Reserve recruitment campaign will commence soon. This was a key proposal by Sinn Féin. However, he warned that this must only be a first step and that government must act on other measures Sinn Féin has called for as

26% spike in Tallaght University Hospital Cancellations in just 9 months – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD has expressed concern at a spike in hospital appointment cancellations at Tallaght University Hospital in the first 9 months of 2023. There was over 6,500 cancellations in the first 3 quarters of 2023 compared to 5,200 in the same period in 2022, meaning 1,300 more cancellations.

Decisive action required to scrap TV licence and deliver sustainable public sector broadcasting and an independent media sector – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has called on Government TDs in Dublin Mid-West to support his party’s proposals to scrap the TV licence and fund RTÉ and other public service media through direct Exchequer funding. Deputy Mark Ward was speaking as Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould and party Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty published a policy document Delivering sustainable public

More Information Needed on ‘Rightsizing’ Options

More information needs to be more readily available and in the public domain advertising potential home move options available to both local authority tenants and homeowners wishing to ‘Rightsize’ according to one South Dublin County Councillor. Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh said; “Rightsizing and allocation of age-friendly accommodation came before us at my very

Access to mental health and addiction supports in Irish Prisons are vital. Mark Ward TD

Access to mental health and addiction  supports in  Irish Prisons are vital.     Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD today called on the Minister for Justice to improve access to mental health and addiction  supports in the Irish Prison Services following information he received from the Department of Justice. As of January

Greater Focus to Tenant-in-Situ Delays Needed

Less bureaucracy and greater expediency are necessary to support local authorities to secure more homes through the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme according to one South Dublin County councillor. Sinn Féin’s Derren Ó Brádaigh was speaking in view of recent figures that he received to an official question, that sought a detailed breakdown on the situation in relation

Lucan Pool Site Visited By Councillors – Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh

Following a litany of delayed opening dates for the new Lucan pool, local councillors were given the opportunity to avail of an on-site tour of the long-awaited new facility on Friday 26th January. Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh took the tour of what is still a construction site and was commenting immediately afterwards. Cllr

Government has abandoned patients and workers in Dublin Mid-West to Emergency Department chaos – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has expressed serious concern that Tallaght Hospital is not equipped to deliver safe and timely care.  He said that the opportunity to build up bed capacity to tackle overcrowding had been squandered over the last four years by government. The comments follow remarks made by Prof Conor

Emer Higgins TD must support Sinn Féin motion to stop vulture funds snapping up homes under the feet of families – Mark Ward TD

Emer Higgins TD must support Sinn Féin motion to stop vulture funds snapping up homes under the feet of families – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has said that Emer Higgins TD  must stand up for the people of Dublin Mid-West and vote in favour of Sinn Féin’s motion to stop vulture funds from

End of Gardaí surge funding in Dublin ‘outrageous’ – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward, has criticised the government’s decision to end surge policing funding in Dublin as ‘outrageous’. The €10 million temporary funding unveiled by Minister Helen McEntee last year has now been spent and not renewed. Speaking today, Teachta Ward said: “It has been clear for some time now that many of those

Mental Health Reform is not a Government Priority – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has expressed his disappointment with the Government in not prioritising the legislation to reform the Mental Health Act 2001 in the Spring Session. Deputy Ward was speaking following the publishing of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring Session 2024. The reform of the Mental Health

Energy prices remain far too high for Dublin Mid-West energy customers – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward has said energy prices are still far too high and must be cut to affordable levels. Commenting on news that Bord Gáis Energy will cut gas and electricity prices from February 29th, Teachta Ward  said: “Energy companies have announced price cuts recently but they do not go

Sinn Féin support families calls for urgent reform of CAMHS – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has supported the Families for Reform of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) call for the urgent implementation of the Mental Health Commission’s 49 recommendations and for the end to discrimination of children with intellectual disabilities in mental health services. Deputy Ward was speaking following

Progress to Retrofit Older Council Homes Welcomed

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has said that whilst progress is somewhat slow and overall numbers are low, he is encouraged by the headway being made to retrofit the Council’s own housing stock. The Dublin Mid-West councillor represents Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill and was commenting in relation to queries he has made recently. Cllr Ó

Council Housing & Homeless Figures Continue to Rise

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has once again expressed utter dismay at the sheer number of households and individuals on South Dublin County Council’s housing waiting list. The Dublin Mid-West councillor has criticised Government for failing to deliver upon the number of homes needed, when speaking to the latest figures he received on housing

2,500 Trees and New Stepping-Stone Forests Planned

Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has welcomed the news that South Dublin County Council will plant as many as 2,500 new trees as part of a winter tree planting programme. The Council’s Public Realm Section also intends commencing a programme of mini-woodlands or steeping-stones forests around the county, proposing to select three locations from

Patient IT system welcome but further rollout needed – Mark Ward TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has welcomed the introduction of IT system at the National Forensic Mental Health Service. Deputy Ward was speaking following the launch of the system, TrakCare, in the National Forensic Mental Health Service earlier this week and called for a further rollout across other mental health services.

Community Incensed at Vandalism of Newly Opened Lucan Parks

Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has expressed his condemnation of sheer wanton vandalism of two newly opened parks in Lucan. Tandy’s Lane Park opened last year and has seen some anti-social behaviour, with the newly opened Airlie Park seeing activity areas daubed in graffiti within 24 hours of opening to the public. Cllr Ó

Children’s Ombudsman calls for Improvement in Children’s Mental Health – Mark Ward TD

Children’s Ombudsman calls for Improvement in Childrens Mental health – Mark Ward TD Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has echoed the calls made by the Children’s Ombudsman, Dr Niall Muldoon, to improve CAMH services. Deputy Ward was speaking following Dr Muldoon’s presentation to Oireachtas staff at Leinster House. Teachta Ward said: