Results 21-40 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: It is a matter of compact growth but in the right places.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: In terms of proper planning, liveability and what we try to do in planning, however, which is to use the land as best we can for the common good, it is not a great measurement, because if you look at the traffic coming in from, say, Meath, Louth, Wicklow or Kildare every morning-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: I would agree with that. The witnesses talk about missing the carbon budgets for the second carbon budget. Despite almost achieving the 7% cut this year and in the first quarter, I think we see a 2.2% cut. I know you cannot extrapolate that out of the four quarters to say we will reach 8.8% because that is not the way it works, but it is certainly heading in the right direction, despite a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: We absolutely need to see that. It is the lack of significant progress in transport you are talking about rather than any other particular sectoral areas.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank Senator Cummins. I now call Deputy Ó Broin, after which will be Deputy Leddin's slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: The Deputy can come back in for another round, if he wishes. I call Deputy Ó Broin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: Does Deputy Leddin wish to come back in? No. I am supposed to take a break after two hours but I have one or two more questions to ask. Does anybody wish to take a break or will I just continue? I will continue. I will ask about national objectives 75 and 76 in the draft I have. They relate to renewable energy targets. This is one of the very positive parts of this NPF. There is a lot...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: To be clear, when this NPF is passed, whenever that might be although we hope it will happen by the end of the year, a round of RSESs will then have to be done by the three regional assemblies. At that stage, there will be guidance for them to allocate that capacity. That will then feed into zoning under the development plans. Some areas will be considered most appropriate. That is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: We spoke about compact growth. It was stated that building high-density apartments or compact developments is expensive. It is so much easier to build a three-bed semi on a greenfield site. It can be done in a certain amount of time, almost by the numbers. However, there is another cost saving when it comes to compact growth. Consider what the State has to do in providing roads, power,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: What are the State costs to enable development of those sites?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: The cost to the State is €115,000 in terms of compact versus greenfield sprawl. This is a kind of political question, so the witnesses do not need to answer it. With measures brought in to help to make apartments affordable for people availing of the Tosaigh or Croi Cónaithe schemes, is the State spending money to encourage compact growth and get more people to live in those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: There is also the 30-, 40- or 50-year life expectancy of a building.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: It is probably an academic conversation because the person who wants to turn the key in the door of their home wants it to be affordable. They do not really care what it costs the State as long as they can afford it. You have to take those things into consideration as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: I would love more questions, but I will wind up shortly. Let us look at the 2030 figure for Housing for All, which is approximately 40,500. Now, all parties and none are saying it is 50,000, 55,000, 60,000 or whatever it might be. We are exceeding the Housing for All target by a little each year. To increase the projected figure by an extra 10,000 by 2030 is an incredible leap to make in a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: I do not have any further questions. If anybody has any further comments to make, they have an opportunity to do so now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework (Resumed): Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: Objective 75 is aimed at addressing that to make sure every county has its allocation, knows what it is going to do and stops what we have heard about anecdotally, whereby how halfway through a process or an assessment, with the zoning done, the wind development does not go ahead. We need to tighten up on that. I thank everyone for their time today. It has been very helpful to us....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: 201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who within the public, private and voluntary sectors is given access by the National Transport Authority to its transport modelling instruments, including the public transport accessibility level tool and the access to opportunities and service tool, and subject to what conditions or costs. [44485/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Steven Matthews: 727. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide the number of Gardaí currently serving the Bray district area in 2024 [44315/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Equality Issues (23 Oct 2024)

Steven Matthews: 155. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the implications of the proposed banning and regulation of non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Legislative Measures (23 Oct 2024)

Steven Matthews: 156. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline how the proposed legislation on the preservation of private records will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43394/24]