Results 6,721-6,740 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Men's Sheds (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: 272. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if action will be taken regarding the submission by various men’s sheds groups seeking an exemption to paying the TV licence fee; if this can be considered in the context of the relatively low funds available to these groups and the role they play in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50716/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: 417. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some small preschool owners regarding the new requirement to submit detailed end of year accounts; if he will ensure that this process is straightforward; if funding will be made available to cover accountancy costs; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: 425. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by a charity (details supplied) regarding a shortfall in its funding and knock-on impact to the services it provides; if he proposes to engage with this charity on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I join others in thanking the citizens' assembly. I am sure members of it are watching online today to see how the Oireachtas is going to dissect and look through the very fine recommendations the assembly made. I also acknowledge Deputy McAuliffe, who has chaired all of these sessions. As a former Lord Mayor of Dublin, he was the right choice for that. I am the only representative from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: As a committee, we are tasked with considering the recommendations, which we have tried to do by engaging with various stakeholders, and with assessing if a plebiscite is required. I want to put a question to Ms O'Connor as a member of the assembly. What if we were to come back and say we support local democracy, empowering the mayor and giving people the option to vote for a directly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: In a similar kind of vein, we concentrate a lot on the challenges and the negativity with regard to something but it is important to acknowledge that the reward here could be huge if we get this right. I really admire the people of Limerick for taking that decision. There is an opportunity, with a really powerful mayor with real powers and resourcing behind them, to put Dublin on that stage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Anybody who is successful in the mayoral election in Limerick is almost the guinea pig. They are going into something where they have got five years to make a mark. I know that if anyone wants to do anything that is significant, substantial and long-lasting, it is difficult to deliver it very quickly. There is always a demand for something quick and shiny to be delivered but if it is going...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: On a point of a clarification, although this report was published almost 12 months ago, I think it was only 20 June when it was passed by the Oireachtas, so by the time the Oireachtas committee received the order, we were almost finished that session of the Dáil. We only managed to get our teeth into this from September on, and we have to report on it by 31 December. I am not sure we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consideration of the Citizens' Assembly Report on a Directly Elected Mayor of Dublin: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: However, I am confident we will report before 31 December on the basis of the order. I thank the witnesses for their time.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (22 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: 79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding any initiatives at a Department level that seek to increase the supply of substitute primary school teachers; if she is concerned about the impact of the current shortfall in these roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51189/23]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: We are meeting to consider Committee Stage of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his officials to the meeting. We will now proceed with consideration of the Bill.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: The Electoral Commission will come before the committee next Tuesday at 3 p.m. to discuss its research strategy, if that is helpful. Members will be very welcome to attend.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Does the Minister want to comment on that or wait until Report Stage?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Deputy Bacik is reserving the right to reintroduce the amendment on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: We will hear from Deputy Smith and then Deputy Farrell.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Does the Minister wish to respond?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Thank you, Minister.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Message to Dáil (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023 and has not made amendments thereto.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Message to Dáil (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: We will take a five-minute break now and then move on to the Estimates.