Results 561-580 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (18 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice’s report on the operation of the Coroner Service published in November 2023; the actions she is taking to ensure that the recommendations therein are progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26166/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (18 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 343. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to staff shortages in radiography roles in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin; if he is concerned by the knock on impact this is having for child patients and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25976/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (18 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 345. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the high costs of registering to a board (details supplied) and other administrative costs; if he is concerned that this puts an undue financial burden on those who must pay these mandatory charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25992/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: In addressing leakage, it is also part of the solution to the knife edge we are on regarding supply, so that water is not leaking out of the system. What is the average daily use of water? I think it is something like 130 l per person.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister. I call the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and then the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, will speak.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State. Before we proceed, and in light of last week's elections, it is only right to acknowledge the hard work done by local authority staff and returning officers in all of the count centres throughout the country.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Some of them are still counting as we sit here. The operation was professionally run and they are protecting our democracy. The count centre is a great leveller. Every one of us walks into it worried and concerned. I acknowledge the work done in all of the count centres. The Limerick mayoral election is an important step forward in local democracy. This committee dealt with the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Okay. The Deputies promised we would-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: The Deputies twice promised we would not have a row and I think we are veering into one now.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: We do not want to see an underspend at all. We want to spend as much money as we can on housing for people who need it, are using homeless services and so forth. The capital underspend of €206 million that we are talking about is a very small percentage of the overall budget.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Yes, just to put it in context, notwithstanding that it is an underspend and we want to spend as much as we can and get good value for it.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Okay. I thank the Minister.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. Those were good questions. As we deal with the Estimates every year, I am reminded of the broad range of areas that fall under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including everything from Met Éireann to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to housing, which is obviously one of the priorities for this Government to deliver on. As...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I totally agree with the Minister. When we put money into that, while it does not actually result in greater housing numbers, it is good forward planning to be able to do that. I will move to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, on the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It was probably during 2008 and 2009 that its budget was cut by about 70%, although it was not within the Department...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: The staffing numbers have also increased. On that recent visit, I was quite impressed to see younger staff there as well. It was an ageing staff and trying to find a ranger was like trying to find a corncrake - they were rare on the ground. That is quite impressive to see. We have been talking in billions but there is a particular spend in local government that I would like to explore...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: That concludes the questions. I thank the Minister and the Ministers of State for their attendance for the long session today. It was informative and helpful. I also thank the officials for their assistance and help today. That concludes our consideration of the further Revised Estimates Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann; Vote 23 - the Electoral Commission; and Vote 34 - Housing, Local...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Message to Dáil (13 Jun 2024)

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 further Revised Estimates for public services for the year ending 31 December 2024: Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann; Vote 23 - the Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin; and Vote 34 -...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann (Revised)
Vote 23 - An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (13 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Members and people looking in are very welcome to the Oireachtas Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We are meeting to look at the Revised Estimates: Vote 16 - Tailte Éireann; Vote 23 - the Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin; and Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I welcome the Minister for Housing, Local Government and...