Results 5,001-5,020 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: We will act on the recommendation concerning the KPMG report. We are picking up interference regarding the witnesses from Mayo County Council if microphones are still on when people are speaking in this room so we will leave the witnesses from Mayo County Council muted until they wish to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I will take the next slot, which is the Green Party slot. I presume the witnesses are advanced in their zoned land tax maps and out to public consultation, etc. In its submission, Mayo County Council said it had 1,500 extant planning submissions uncommenced. I will take a nod from the witnesses from Mayo County Council if that is correct. Did Longford County Council highlight how many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I expect the extant uncommenced planning permissions in Longford have also arisen for the reason Mr. Kelly outlined, namely, the level of demand for private housing. On development that is applied for and built, for what percentage of the councils planning approvals granted each year does one-off or single unit housing account? I note the Office of the Planning Regulator's recent report...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: What is the position in Mayo?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: Would single housing units account for 40% or 50% of the overall number of planning applications in Mayo each year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: My next question relates to engagement with the Land Development Agency, LDA. Have the councils engaged with the LDA to any extent? Can the LDA bring something to the table for both the Mayo and Longford local authorities in terms of delivery of affordable or cost rental housing, for example?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Kelly. I want to go to Longford now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: We see commentary on the amount of bureaucracy and red tape from the Department. I am paraphrasing what is sometimes said. Do the councils find it to be an overly bureaucratic system? I do not want them to bite the hand that feeds them but we are trying to learn from local authorities when they appear before us. We read the commentary from experts in the media, on social media, etc. Is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: That is generally the response we have been getting from the local authorities which have been telling us that the funding and resources are there. They are all suffering the same problems in trying to recruit staff. There is also the issue of staff retention and high interest rates putting prices beyond what might be affordable. I will put the same question on engagement with the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of accommodation for practical subjects and other facilities in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2757/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: We move to the Sinn Féin slot. I call Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: Perhaps he could come back to us with that at a later date. Of the 1,500 extant uncommenced planning submissions identified by Mayo County Council, did it identify the reasons why they were uncommenced? Was it because of infrastructural constraints or as Mr. Mahon said about Longford, a demand for that private housing market?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: The next slot is a Fine Gael one. Senator Burke is next. Senator Carrigy, I think you are somewhat under time constraints. Do members mind if we give the two Senators an expanded slot and just deal with both of them in it? That would suit you, Senator Carrigy. I will let Senator Burke go first, to be followed by Senator Carrigy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I call Senator Carrigy. I propose that Deputy Flaherty take the Chair. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 97. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the introduction of a looped bus service for Bray and Greystones, County Wicklow, as proposed under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2132/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the value of extending an electrified train service to Wicklow town, as included in the NTA's transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2222/23]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Court Accommodation (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: 130. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request that the OPW engages with the Courts Service regarding upgrade works (details supplied) for the former courthouse in Wicklow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2139/23]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Nagoya Protocol: Motion (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, and his officials, Mr. Alan Moore and Mr. Niall Finan of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, biodiversity policy unit, to the committee. This meeting has been convened to consider the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Nagoya Protocol: Motion (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State. I will go to Deputy Higgins first.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Nagoya Protocol: Motion (19 Jan 2023)

Steven Matthews: Deputy Higgins suggestion is a good one. We did that in the past year when we received updates from the Minister of State on planning and local government issues. We were also given updates by the relevant Ministers and Ministers of State on heritage, electoral reform and housing. However, we have a very heavy agenda. I will take the Deputy’s suggestion on board and try to work it...