Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
248. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider standardising certain policies in county development plans across all local authorities so that there are clear and fair definitions of what constitutes a local/rural person for the purpose of building a one-off rural dwelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4954/26]
View answer249. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progress of work to update policy direction and guidance in respect of rural housing, initially in the form of a section 28 guideline which is being reviewed and prepared as a national planning statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4931/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
As set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in the second half of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the National Planning Framework (NPF).
My Department is currently preparing a draft National Planning Statement for Government approval, to be issued under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024 in order to provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the country.
The NPS will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework, in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment), and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in the assessment of development proposals for new one-off housing in rural areas under urban influence.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European Directives and international agreements. Due care is being taken to ensure the National Planning Statement will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, will comply with EU environmental requirements and will have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice.
Furthermore, my Department and I regularly engage with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and with Agencies such as Uisce Éireann and other Government Departments to progress a number of Programme for Government commitments on housing in rural areas and the necessary infrastructure to support housing development across the country in order to meet housing need.
