Results 4,201-4,220 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Yes, go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Okay. I thank Ms Stapleton. I call Senator Cummins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: The Senator's time is up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Ms Timmons might be brief, please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Deputy McAuliffe can come back in on the third round, or there is another Fianna Fáil slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: The last two speaking lots are for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Are Deputy McAuliffe and Senator Fitzpatrick sharing time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: If there was a site in the Deputy's constituency he did not cover, he may get to raise it this time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: I wish to ask about vacancies and dereliction, because they are areas in which we can address stock that is already available, serviced and town-centred. I spoke about sustainability and the climate actions we need to attach to our housing. Is there a unit within the Department now that concentrates on dereliction and vacancy? There are a huge range of schemes, policies and funding in this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: We, as a committee, compiled a significant report on urban regeneration about a year ago with approximately 39 recommendations. We are interested in pursuing that further with the Department. If we issue another invite to the Department to come and discuss dereliction and vacancy, given that the three witnesses have given the committee ample time, I am conscious that I do not want to drag...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: That was only issued last year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: There are a significant number of schemes. Deputy McAuliffe stated that, for the first 18 months, the committee dealt with the legislative process, such as the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the Land Development Agency Act 2021 and a lot of other legislation. We are starting to see these schemes and funding produce. Annual reporting of all that will be helpful to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Yes. I hear criticism regarding the lack of uptake of the affordable purchase scheme, but we only introduced the legislation in the summer of 2021. It will take time for local authorities to get up to speed. I have seen the units delivered in Wicklow, where there is a fine development. In the Affordable Housing Act, we introduced community-led housing. This is a small area but it has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: I would appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: Senator Cummins has used his quota of repair and lease discussion now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: I wish to advise Deputy Healy-Rae that we have a seven or eight minute slot and that is for questions and answers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: The Deputy might give the officials a chance to respond to some of his questions, because it is only a seven-minute slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: We are going through a substantial, substantive change in planning legislation at the moment and the Deputy is very welcome to come to the committee and make the point at that stage, when we are convened on planning matters.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: We can have a cup of coffee and reminisce about the past after this. I thank Mr. Ó Coigligh, Ms Stapleton and Ms Timmons for their appearance again at the committee. They have given us a considerable piece of their time today. They have a huge workload. The Department is doing excellent work out there. We obviously need to do more and to do faster, at scale and at speed. They are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: 126. 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. [17185/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: 294. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to requests from community groups in Arklow, County Wicklow regarding the demand for a looped bus service for the town; the position regarding this type of service under Connecting Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17188/23]