Results 5,641-5,660 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 92. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding DART plus; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: Good morning everybody and welcome to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Today we begin our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the local government (maternity protection and other measures for local authority elected members) Bill 2022. I welcome Deputy Denise Mitchell, who is substituting for Deputy O'Broin, and Senator Maria Byrne, who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I take the opportunity to compliment the Minister of State and his team on the widespread consultation that was involved in bringing this general scheme to us, and the participation of those groups he mentioned.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I call Senator Moynihan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Senator. I call on Senator Seery Kearney, followed by Deputy Gould and Senator Byrne.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: Deputy Gould has stepped out for a moment. I will go to Deputy McAuliffe and then return to Deputy Gould.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: We are going to stick to the legislation before us but the Minister of State may want to comment on Deputy McAuliffe's contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I conclude by thanking the Minister of State for introducing this legislation. He can see the general consensus that this is good. The wide stakeholder engagement has helped in getting that consensus. This is good for local democracy because it supports members of local democracies to do their jobs and to enjoy maternity leave at an important time. I echo the words of Senator Boyhan about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: We will get it back to the Minister of State so he can proceed with bringing the Bill through the Oireachtas. While we have legislation and regulations, it might be beneficial to think about guidelines or advice for local authorities on councillors returning from maternity leave and what facilities or other measures a council could put in place.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: Somebody mentioned that councils are historically male-dominated. The Minister of State mentioned the lack of female representation around the country. Guidelines on that would be useful. The last thing people want is to come back after six months of maternity leave and to go straight back into a difficult job. Guidelines could advise people to talk to their chief executives about the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank members for their contributions.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Veterinary Services (21 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 41. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will extend the eligibility for tax relief for registration fees to newly-qualified veterinary nurses upon registering with the Veterinary Council of Ireland given that this is already in place for a number of similar professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46093/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans regarding supports for SMEs that are seeking to significantly reduce energy consumption; if any capital grant funding proposals for permanent alterations to premises are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the support scheme for energy audits; the number of SMEs that have successfully applied for this scheme to date; the initiatives that are in place to increase the uptake of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44621/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (20 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the parameters of the TaxSaver tickets for public transport in the context of employees working increasingly in hybrid set-ups as the current system benefits those who commute on a daily basis but not other work patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (20 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has been drawn to concerns related to the Low Emissions Vehicle Toll Incentive as some EV users have experienced difficulty in accessing this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45625/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (20 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed new school building for a community college (details supplied); the basis for any delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45519/22]

An Bord Pleanála: Statements (15 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister for the opportunity to have this debate today. It is vital because, as all present are aware, the planning system is at the heart of everything we do and, right now, there is an urgent need to restore trust in that system. Planning objectives and decisions impact on every person and town in Ireland. The planning system decides where we live, the type of houses and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (15 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a foreign birth registration (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45285/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (14 Sep 2022)

Steven Matthews: 125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) which outlines a number of locations in County Wicklow in which noise mitigation measures are required due to high traffic volumes; if the funding for these measures will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44363/22]