Results 4,801-4,820 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: Would single housing units account for 40% or 50% of the overall number of planning applications in Mayo each year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: My next question relates to engagement with the Land Development Agency, LDA. Have the councils engaged with the LDA to any extent? Can the LDA bring something to the table for both the Mayo and Longford local authorities in terms of delivery of affordable or cost rental housing, for example?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Kelly. I want to go to Longford now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: We see commentary on the amount of bureaucracy and red tape from the Department. I am paraphrasing what is sometimes said. Do the councils find it to be an overly bureaucratic system? I do not want them to bite the hand that feeds them but we are trying to learn from local authorities when they appear before us. We read the commentary from experts in the media, on social media, etc. Is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: That is generally the response we have been getting from the local authorities which have been telling us that the funding and resources are there. They are all suffering the same problems in trying to recruit staff. There is also the issue of staff retention and high interest rates putting prices beyond what might be affordable. I will put the same question on engagement with the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: The Government recently announced the installation of solar panels on secondary and primary schools. The Government has made great strides in solar at utility scale and domestic scale, with feed-in tariffs, substantial grants and planning exemptions. It makes a lot of sense to expand this to our schools to help them with their energy bills and in our climate challenge. I understand it is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of accommodation for practical subjects and other facilities in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2757/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: We move to the Sinn Féin slot. I call Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: Perhaps he could come back to us with that at a later date. Of the 1,500 extant uncommenced planning submissions identified by Mayo County Council, did it identify the reasons why they were uncommenced? Was it because of infrastructural constraints or as Mr. Mahon said about Longford, a demand for that private housing market?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: The next slot is a Fine Gael one. Senator Burke is next. Senator Carrigy, I think you are somewhat under time constraints. Do members mind if we give the two Senators an expanded slot and just deal with both of them in it? That would suit you, Senator Carrigy. I will let Senator Burke go first, to be followed by Senator Carrigy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I call Senator Carrigy. I propose that Deputy Flaherty take the Chair. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sports Funding (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 12. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the next round of sports capital funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3062/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sports Funding (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: There is always great excitement and anticipation on the announcement of the sports capital grants. The Minister of State will know well how much these grants mean to the sports clubs up and down the country. I think every Member in the House is aware of it. The volunteers who keep those clubs running extract huge value out of every euro that comes in those grants. When can we expect the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sports Funding (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: That is considerable funding that we put into it. It shows that we all acknowledge the value of sports for well-being in our community and what it does for communities. I have had the opportunity to work with a number of the clubs that did receive funding in the last year or two and to assist in the appeals process, which is an important thing to stress. Lacken-Kilbride GAA Club got...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sports Funding (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I agree. I think that sports capital grant schemes is one of the best grant schemes that we have through government. A great many clubs have benefited from it across the country. It is a very fair and equitable scheme. Clubs benefit where we get to engage with them, advise them and we learn the lessons from applications that were not successful. I am working on a particular one in west...

Forestry Strategy: Statements (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I join the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, in acknowledging the massive investment secured by the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, in our forestry plan and thank them for it. Some of the facts and figures that have gone out on the investment opportunity with the Gresham House fund have been misleading. It is important to put it in context. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (25 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby driving test candidates have been refused tests due to NCT expirations on their vehicle, in spite of having one booked, and the known delays for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3475/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Swimming Pools (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 22. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the campaign to have a permanent public pool constructed in Blessington, County Wicklow following the success of a temporary pop-up pool installation; if she will consider meeting the campaign team to discuss the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3061/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way that the Government plans to encourage 16-to-18-year-olds to pre-register for the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3197/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (26 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 169. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the new regulations that will require a changing places toilet to be included in certain buildings as signed by him (details supplied); if these regulations are now in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3193/23]