Results 6,221-6,240 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 322. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the expert group currently reviewing building regulations in relation to change of use and living over the shop type developments and related concerns; if the remit and findings of the group to date will be outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24788/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 424. 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. [24930/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the proposed loss of a teacher post (details supplied); if this can be reviewed to reflect both Government policy in relation to class sizes and the concerns of the school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24211/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome everyone. The committee is meeting today with the National Oversight Audit Commission, NOAC, to discuss its 2021 annual report on local authorities. We are joined today by Mr. Michael McCarthy, chairperson; Mr. Ciarán Hayes, board member; and Ms Claire Gavin, head of secretariat. I thank the witnesses for their attendance today. Our meeting will be split into two sessions....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. McCarthy. I call Deputy McAuliffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That would be helpful. We got some good news on voids in the past two years, so it may have improved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Is Deputy Higgins satisfied with those answers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I call Senator Boyhan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That was especially helpful. I will take the next slot because it is a Green Party slot. Mr. McCarthy acknowledged the difficulties of trying to work through Covid. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the local authorities for stepping up, including management and councillors, during what was a difficult, disruptive and scary period for many people. Just as that was coming to an end,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: That is fine. I am just keen to see some review of the Moorhead report to see how it is impacting on the functioning of the local authorities and councillors.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We will engage the Department on it. NOAC covers rates collection in its report. There seem to be varying levels of success across local authorities when it comes to collecting rates. Does a stricter target need to be set by the Government to say that local authorities must achieve 80% or 90% collection, for example? Similarly, does Mr. McCarthy have any opinion on why the collection rate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Is that something that NOAC does?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Of course and there was the rates waiver as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I refer to local authorities that can waive rates on vacant commercial properties. Is that still prevalent or is it being phased out?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We are looking at the incomes of local authorities. Those incomes come from many and varied sources. Rates are a substantial part of a local authority's income and it sends out the wrong message to waive the rates. If you waive the rates, you leave in place a vacant and possibly derelict building that might be an eyesore. There is no incentive for the owner to do anything because he or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I appreciate that. Local authority members will appreciate it too because they have good knowledge of these smaller towns and villages Mr. Hayes refers to. However, an incentive to pay rates could be the necessary nudge to somebody who owns a commercial property that we know will probably never be operating commercially again. It might make him or her think about a change of use like...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight Audit Commission’s 2021 Annual Report: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I did not start the clock for myself. I think I am out of time. I ended up penalising myself. Deputy Gould times me regularly.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (12 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Question No. 150 of 1 February 2022, if a review of the existing school bus allocation system has been completed; if her attention has been drawn to the need to increase flexibility in ticket allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23552/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (12 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the need to upgrade and retrofit the old part of the school building (details supplied); if the building will be assessed to establish the level of work required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23551/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: The Minister has to be back, but I agree with his final comments on making our town centres people-centred and sharing that space in a manner that protects everybody.