Results 3,601-3,620 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 47. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the negotiations between his Department and a union (details supplied); the timeline for the completion of negotiations; his views on the ongoing impact for medical card users who are unable to access dental services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25807/22]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 199. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the long-term measures that will be included in the proposed €56 million fodder production scheme to reduce the likelihood of future fodder crises occurring. [26630/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 234. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details regarding any research carried out on behalf of his Department into the level of requirement for wheelchair-liveable homes on social housing lists at a national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27020/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 235. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the housing needs demand assessment being carried out by each local authority assesses and includes figures related to the level of requirement for wheelchair-liveable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27022/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of any research that has been carried out into the level of demand for wheelchair-liveable homes by or on behalf of his Department; the number of wheelchair-liveable homes that are expected to be delivered under Housing for All by year-end 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27023/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 237. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the assessments that have been carried out by his Department in relation to building regulations and guidance for the construction of wheelchair-liveable homes; if his attention has been drawn to the need to make these guidelines clearer to help streamline the construction of new properties and adapting...

Transport, Accelerating Sustainable Mobility: Statements (31 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I wish to talk about trains and public transport, and the electrification of rail services in particular. There have been huge advancements with battery-electric units that have a really good range. In most cases, we will not need to build that extensive overhead network in order to provide a good, urban, electrified rail system. Electric trains have the advantage of being much quicker...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome everyone. The committee is meeting today with the National Oversight Audit Commission, NOAC, to discuss its 2021 annual report on local authorities. We are joined today by Mr. Michael McCarthy, chairperson; Mr. Ciarán Hayes, board member; and Ms Claire Gavin, head of secretariat. I thank the witnesses for their attendance today. Our meeting will be split into two sessions....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. McCarthy. I call Deputy McAuliffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That would be helpful. We got some good news on voids in the past two years, so it may have improved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Is Deputy Higgins satisfied with those answers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I call Senator Boyhan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That was especially helpful. I will take the next slot because it is a Green Party slot. Mr. McCarthy acknowledged the difficulties of trying to work through Covid. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the local authorities for stepping up, including management and councillors, during what was a difficult, disruptive and scary period for many people. Just as that was coming to an end,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That is fine. I am just keen to see some review of the Moorhead report to see how it is impacting on the functioning of the local authorities and councillors.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We will engage the Department on it. NOAC covers rates collection in its report. There seem to be varying levels of success across local authorities when it comes to collecting rates. Does a stricter target need to be set by the Government to say that local authorities must achieve 80% or 90% collection, for example? Similarly, does Mr. McCarthy have any opinion on why the collection rate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Is that something that NOAC does?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Of course and there was the rates waiver as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I refer to local authorities that can waive rates on vacant commercial properties. Is that still prevalent or is it being phased out?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We are looking at the incomes of local authorities. Those incomes come from many and varied sources. Rates are a substantial part of a local authority's income and it sends out the wrong message to waive the rates. If you waive the rates, you leave in place a vacant and possibly derelict building that might be an eyesore. There is no incentive for the owner to do anything because he or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I appreciate that. Local authority members will appreciate it too because they have good knowledge of these smaller towns and villages Mr. Hayes refers to. However, an incentive to pay rates could be the necessary nudge to somebody who owns a commercial property that we know will probably never be operating commercially again. It might make him or her think about a change of use like...