Results 6,161-6,180 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: This has been helpful for the committee. We knew this review was ongoing and we all know how complex this area is. We are very glad to have the opportunity to engage with our guests today. Perhaps I will engage with Ms Graham further to see how we might have a number of meetings. We have a pretty hectic legislative schedule now and mid-July is approaching fast so we have only a limited...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (26 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: To clarify for the committee, Ms Graham, there are work themes that are being worked through at present. At what approximate date do you envisage the working through and overseeing of those various work themes being completed?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I recently met the Irish Wheelchair Association to discuss housing, universal design, Part M and wheelchair-liveable accommodation. Do housing need and demand assessments carried out by local authorities take account of the number of wheelchair-liveable properties that should be included? Liveable is a slightly higher design than just accessible. I want to know whether those numbers are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 56. 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. [26709/22]

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: First Stage (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for identification, management, restoration and bringing back to use of derelict buildings and to simplify and expedite applications to refurbish or change the use of upper floors or ‘over the shop’ for residential use by establishing in each local authority a special planning and building control...

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: First Stage (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 274. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25855/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 325. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 326. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26400/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 337. 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. [26453/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 592. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign led by an organisation (details supplied) that is seeking improved pay, work structures and proper engagement with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25739/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I am afraid we are out of time on this slot, but we will come back to Mr. James to answer those two questions from Deputy Ó Broin when we get an opportunity. We move now to the Fine Gael slot and Deputy Higgins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I will take the next slot, which is a Green Party slot. I will start with the SCSI. In its submission, it talks about planning reform. CIF mentions planning and zoning as contributing to costs as well. Can our guests from the SCSI explain to me why planning is contributing to costs or what planning reform needs to be done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I am sorry to interrupt. There are set statutory timeframes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: If you are planning a process, you know there is a five-week period and you know there is an appeals process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We know there are delays with An Bord Pleanála that are hard to factor in. Is it just that delay with An Bord Pleanála because you know these-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: A small proportion of housing is subject to judicial review. We know why SHDs have been subject to a large number of judicial reviews but a very small amount of housing overall is subject to judicial review.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Does Ms Rocca think the fact that we have brought large-scale residential developments back to local authorities will assist with that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We often hear about planning being the scapegoat and it gets blamed for everything, including the delays and expenses, and we are told it is the reason we do not have houses. I do not believe that because we have a good planning system. If we could get the timeframes right and if we did not have those excessive delays, surely the planning process could be factored into development proposals...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Quite rightly though.