Results 5,101-5,120 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: It is an important point. The good news for everybody is we will all be leaving shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Loughran and Deputy Gould. Before I adjourn-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I have already given the Deputy ten or 12 minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: We need to go to the Chamber shortly. Ms Cormican said earlier that when we take out the private element, we end up reducing the profitability and this impacts on the delivery of other aspects. Will she elaborate on and clarify that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: This is councillors who vote down the proposals.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: This is my slot. I will let the Deputy back in if he wants to defend that but I was not picking out any political party. I was just looking for clarity on the matter. I have another question in which I will be slightly parochial. I will not name the agency but in my constituency of Wicklow, a site was passed for inclusion in the Part 8 process in 2018. It is the Central Garage site in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: This leads on to my earlier question with regard to planning being a barrier to delivery. The witnesses may be aware of the amendment being proposed by the Minister to section 179 in Part 8. Do they foresee this is something that will speed up delivery of social, affordable and cost rental housing? Do they see it as something that would be beneficial to AHBs? Do any of them want to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: An amendment has been tabled to the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill by the Minister that seeks to speed up the delivery of social, affordable and cost-rental housing by exempting the delivery of this type of housing from the Part 8 process as long as it is commenced before the end of December 2024. The witnesses may not be aware of the amendment because it was only...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I agree to a certain extent that what is probably required is legal certainty for everybody involved in a development in the area, and not only the investor, agency or developer but the people who live in the area and those who wish to live in the houses that would be developed. The legal certainty needs to be there. However, that also needs to be hugely supported by very well-resourced...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: On behalf of the committee members, I thank the witnesses for the work they are doing. They might bring that thanks and acknowledgment back to their staff who are out in the fields the whole time designing, building and maintaining that really good resident liaison and relationship they have. It is incredibly important. I finally got to tot up those figures we received earlier. Correct...

Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Second Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I find myself in agreement with Opposition speakers here today. We worked together on the relevant Oireachtas committee. As has been said by others, we heard from a number of witnesses who advised us and we put together a report with a number of recommendations. The most important piece of information the committee received was legal advice from the OPLA on a number of questions we raised....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: 13. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a review of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if he will request this process to be expedited in view of ongoing concerns related to reimbursement from medical professionals in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60831/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I raised the issue of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme with the Minister previously with regard to reviewing the reimbursement to medical professionals in this sector. I asked whether that is under consideration. My understanding is that the reimbursement paid to them has not kept pace with the costs of delivering that service. This is an extremely important...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister. It is welcome news to hear he has requested an evaluation to be carried out on the expansion of the scheme. I hope it will also include the payments that are made under the scheme to the practitioners. As the Minister outlined, it is a very valuable service and one I recently experienced. The Minister might have noticed the black eye I have at the moment. Many...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome that news. I will leave it in the Minister's capable hands to look at that. I know he understands the importance of this service. I am glad to receive that response this morning.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: 17. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a local community neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 6 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60519/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: Apologies have been received from Senator Boyhan. I welcome everyone to the meeting, the purpose of which is to consider the proposed Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke, and his officials...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I have a question on the observation in the Minister of State's opening statement that there are approximately 800 building and contracting entities. Then a little further on, the Minister of State noted, "It is envisaged that builders can begin registering in 2024". For clarity, is a building or contracting entity a company-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: -----or a sole trader? What is the definition of a builder? The Minister of State went on to state: These will likely be house builders and non-residential builders. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently. This is not to say that there are not some very skilled builders out there but I was always of the mind that traditionally, the tradespeople were the builders. In...