Results 3,041-3,060 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: 95. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding front-line workers for homeless service charities (details supplied) who worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; if they are being considered for the €1,000 Covid recognition payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8545/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: 124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: 89. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to reports of sex for rent cases as reported in the media (details supplied); if specific legislation or measures to address this crime are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8274/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I want to ask the Minister if her attention has been drawn to recent media reports of sex for rent cases. I refer particularly to reports by a journalist in the Irish Examiner, Ann Murphy. Are there specific measures or legislation to address this crime, if it is a crime? I am not sure if it is and seek the Minister's clarification. Is she considering measures to address the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister. She covered the issue well. It is morally reprehensible for someone to engage in this type of practice, to exploit somebody. We are all aware of the cost of rent out there. We are aware of the pressures on people from rent. For someone to take advantage of that and try to exploit somebody - we need to take urgent action on this. I do not know how prevalent this is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I am glad to hear that. The Minister will be aware from the work of Government, including Housing for All and the €4 billion per annum budget we are putting in to provide public housing and cost rental housing, and that we are addressing tenancies of indefinite duration. We have brought in five or six Acts during Covid to protect tenants in their tenancies. We applied the 2% rent...

National Retrofitting Scheme: Statements (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome the scheme. It is a smart scheme. Despite the usual missed opportunity rhetoric that comes from the Opposition pensions no matter what the Government does, this scheme will provide across all demographics and for everybody that can afford it. As usual, Deputy Boyd Barrett is never clear about what he wants. It would seem that what he wants is to depend on fossil fuels because...

National Retrofitting Scheme: Statements (17 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I did not interrupt you. I sat and listened to your rhetoric and I ask you to allow me to lay down some facts. I have acknowledged the part Mr. Paul Kenny has played in this. I do not think there is anybody better out there to recommend and advise the Minister on this scheme, which ticks all of the boxes of sustainability and sustainable development. The three pillars of sustainability...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: Time permitted, I will allow a second round of questions.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I will give the Minister an opportunity to answer as many first round questions as possible. The next speak is Deputy Higgins.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: Does the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, wish to go ahead or-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy Higgins. I will take the next slot now. Deputy McAuliffe covered the Housing for All strategy and all of the work that went into that very well. I will not go through that again. I wanted to concentrate on water and water services, especially in programme B. I note that if we do not look after our water supplies and wastewater treatment, one cannot have any houses or...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I have two minutes left and I want to talk about the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, and An Bord Pleanála for a second. I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, on his engagement with this committee during long committee sessions on the Maritime Area Planning Act that we passed last year. In meeting our emissions targets, it is critical to have that planning...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I apologise to the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, as I am out of time. However, I will follow up on that in the second round.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I am conscious that the Minister needs to leave by 8 p.m. so I will be brief in my last slot. I note the references to the work the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has done. He has really engaged with this committee. We have gone through the Bills on electoral reform and the mayor for Limerick. We are going through the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill at the moment. I note...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: Again, that is absolutely key for people in living those houses.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: Yes, it is targeted at that. That is critical. The message went out loud and clear yesterday that there is a whole range of supports available. There is the 100% grant, the 80% grant for smaller works and the grant of up to 50% for large-scale jobs. There was also mention of the Land Development Agency, LDA. The chair designate, Cormac O'Rourke, came into us recently. We had a really...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for their time and their engagement with the committee. They will always be welcome back. We hope to engage further with them. I know that there is a pipeline of legislation. As ever, the committee and the members are willing to put the hours and the work in to get that important legislation through. I thank also the officials of the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Message to Dáil (10 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Clerk of Dáil: The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2022: Vote 16 - Valuation Office; Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority; and Vote 34 - Housing, Local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (15 Feb 2022)

Steven Matthews: 890. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of existing mental health supports for children in County Wicklow; the number of children under 18 years of age who are waiting three months or longer to see a psychologist following a referral from a general practitioner; the steps he is taking to reduce wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8320/22]