Ward's first six months as TD was 'the most intense and transformative time'

As the summer recess begins, Donegal TD Charles Ward has taken a moment to express heartfelt thanks to the people who placed their trust in him during what he describes as “the most intense and transformative time” of his life.

Representing the 100% Redress Party, Deputy Ward has spent the past six months navigating national politics while keeping the concerns of Donegal front and centre.

Not a career politician, Deputy Ward is a husband, a father, and a working man with roots in healthcare, fishing, mining and factory work. His lived experience, combined with the special education work his wife carries out daily, means he understands not just policy but the real pressures facing people in Donegal.

“This has been the hardest and most challenging time of my life,” he said. “But every step of the way, the kindness, the trust and the unwavering support from the people of Donegal have kept me going. Their belief in me, especially during this time of upheaval, means everything.”

Elected primarily on the issue of defective concrete, Deputy Ward has used every opportunity in the Dáil and in committee rooms to shine a light on the wider social and economic issues that affect the county.

He stated that he has raised Donegal more times than any other Donegal TD and has raised the defective concrete crisis 26 times on the floor of the Dáil in his first term.

Deputy Ward said he rarely misses a chance to connect national issues—such as healthcare, housing, and education—back to the crisis of defective concrete, showing how deeply it affects the very social fabric of Donegal. “Defective concrete isn’t just about crumbling walls,” he said in a recent debate. “It’s about broken systems—housing, health, education—and the daily pressures Donegal families are living under.”

The Donegal TD said being elected to the Dáil has given him direct access to departments and decision-makers who can effect real change. In the past six months, he has held face-to-face meetings with Engineers Ireland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), and the Department of Housing. These meetings have allowed him to raise urgent and practical issues—from block testing and engineer accreditation to the lack of cost transparency in the redress scheme.

The most significant development in his first term as TD is the commitment Deputy Ward secured from the Department of Housing to introduce new legislation for a new scheme that will reflect the updated findings of the revised IS465 standard. This legislative step will significantly influence how defective concrete is assessed and addressed nationwide, something Deputy Ward has consistently called essential for delivering long-overdue justice to affected families.

Another major moment came when the Donegal TD’s persistent advocacy brought Housing Minister, James Browne, to Donegal. That visit resulted in a 10 percent increase in redress grant funding for affected homeowners. Deputy Ward described the increase as “a step forward” and a clear signal that Donegal’s voice is no longer being ignored.

He said his drive has always been about helping people: ‘Whether young or old, sick or well, struggling or striving, I have consistently brought human stories and community concerns into national focus.’ He has championed the needs of Little Angels Special School, raised critical concerns about living conditions in nursing homes, and fought for better support for elderly and vulnerable people.

The 100% Redress TD serves on the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries & Maritime Affairs and the Committee on Children & Equality, and is also a member of the Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group and Autism group. He has also secured agreement to attend Housing Committee meetings whenever defective concrete is being discussed, ensuring Donegal remains part of the national conversation on housing.

His healthcare background and connection to families on the ground also drove his advocacy for a new surgical hub for Letterkenny University Hospital, an issue he continues to push directly with the Minister for Health and the health authorities.

As the Dáil pauses for summer, Deputy Ward reflected on his first six months in office: “I’m just a man from Donegal trying to do what’s right,” he said. “I know what it’s like to feel forgotten. I’ve sat at kitchen tables where families are barely holding it together. That’s what drives me. Behind every question I ask, there’s a mother, a pensioner, a child with additional needs, depending on us to get this right. I carry their voices with me into every room.”

Deputy Ward also paid tribute to his team, his supporters, and - above all - the people who placed their faith in him to represent Donegal: “This isn’t a job I take lightly. It’s a responsibility and a privilege. I’m more determined than ever to fight for Donegal and to prove that their faith in me was never misplaced.”

While the Dáil may be in recess, Deputy Ward has confirmed that his work in the constituency will continue throughout the summer. His office in Ballybofey will remain open, and he encourages anyone in need of support or assistance to reach out to him at any time on 074 9130207 or call in to Unit 3 Drumfril House, Chestnut Road, Ballybofey, F93 A993.