Written Answers Nos. 393-407
393. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1694 of 14 April 2026, to clarify if the Southern bridge mentioned is being built on private land; to detail the cost to date of this bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/26]
View answerFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 1694 of 14 April 2026, while the Southern Bridge itself is in public ownership, access to the bridge to and from South Main Street is licenced to the local authority for public use under a formal licence agreement with the relevant property owners.
The bridge is being delivered under a combined contract encompassing the two bridges that form the full scope of the project (i.e. the contract includes a second bridge connecting Crosses Green to South Main Street via Lambleys Lane) as well as related public realm works. The total expenditure incurred to date in respect of the two bridges and the public realm works is €9,757,081 (incl. VAT).
394. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will release the details of providing a plebiscite for the change of place names under the Local Government Acts 1946 and 1955; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/26]
View answerPart 18 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for the changing of placenames by local authorities. The adopting of a proposal to change a placename, the consideration of submissions in relation to such a proposal, and the decision to hold a ballot of qualified electors are reserved functions of the elected members.
Provisions relating to placename changes in Part 18 of the amended Local Government Act 2001 were commenced in early 2019. Previous provisions under local government legislation were repealed. In addition, provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, amending Part 18 of the 2001 Act, were commenced.
Part 18 provides that Regulations can be made for the holding of plebiscites to change placenames. However, before Regulations could be made, issues were identified in respect of the interaction of the amended Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 and provisions contained in Official Languages legislation.
It is expected that a resolution to the legislative complexities that exist between the Local Government Acts and Official Languages Act may require primary legislation to resolve. The matter will be considered further by my Department in consultation with the relevant officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. There are a number of policy decisions that will have to be finalised between both Departments, and considered by Government, particularly in relation to the role of the Council and the role of the Minister with responsibility for the Official Languages Act and the Placenames Commission.
Work will continue with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on the resolution of the placenames issue, with a view to agreeing revised policy and identification of any required legislative change. This is a complex matter to which careful consideration will have to be given.
395. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any exemptions or provisions within rural housing policy for persons who are unable to afford the adaptation or modification of their current home to meet their changing needs, which would allow them to sell their existing property and build a new home within the same local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41124/26]
View answerAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in of 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 (NPS) 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 (NPF), 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 draft 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.
The NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, which remain in effect pending the finalisation of the draft National Planning Statement, enable planning authorities to prepare and adopt local development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas. There is no exemption or provision within the current 2005 Rural Housing Policy Guidelines for persons to sell their existing property and build a new home within the same local area.
When making a decision in relation to an application for permission, a planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, regard being had to, inter alia, the National Planning Framework, the provisions of the relevant development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect until they are revoked or replaced by a new National Planning Statement.
396. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities operate any dedicated housing priority pathways for care leavers or care-experienced young adults at risk of homelessness; the number currently supported under such pathways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41128/26]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
The allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain categories of households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme which specifies, among other things, the manner of and the order of priority for the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists. An allocation scheme may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
Under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), capital funding of up to 100% of project costs may be advanced by local authorities to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide housing for specific categories of housing need, which can include persons leaving State care. Under this category, where a local authority is informed by Tusla that there is a need for accommodation for people aged 18-21 (or up to 23 if in education/training) leaving State care and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, it may invite AHBs to apply for CAS funding to provide appropriate accommodation.
A national Youth Homelessness Strategy was developed for the period 2023 - 2025, and aimed to help young people aged 18-24 who were experiencing or were at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Strategy recognised that there are certain cohorts of young people who are at heightened risk of homelessness or disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. Those leaving State care were one such cohort. Accordingly, Action 7 within the Strategy provided for a review and update of Housing Circular 46/2014 on the Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care. While the Youth Homelessness Strategy has now concluded, my Department continues to put a specific focus on addressing youth homelessness and a subgroup is being established under the National Homeless Action Committee to focus on youth homelessness.
My Department worked closely with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla to develop the revised Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care. Feedback was also sought from a range of key stakeholders. The revised Protocol issued to local authorities in June 2025 and places a particular emphasis on the need to ensure a range of accommodation options for young people leaving state care and at risk of experiencing homelessness. The revised Protocol encourages local authorities to consider supported transitional and shared accommodation options, as appropriate, and to support AHBs in providing such accommodation options. The revised Protocol will be kept under review to ensure effective implementation and operation across all 31 local authorities.
While the Youth Homelessness Strategy has now concluded, I intend to ensure a continued focus on addressing youth homelessness. A subgroup will be established under the National Homeless Action Committee to focus on youth homelessness. The work of this subgroup will commence in Q3 2026.
397. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of care-experienced young adults currently accessing emergency accommodation, supported temporary accommodation or Housing First-type supports, broken down by local authority area where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/26]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in homeless emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded homeless emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by local authorities.
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. This report also provides a breakdown of the number of adults in emergency accommodation per accommodation type. The most recently published data is in respect of March 2026. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which summarise the data in quarterly regional performance reports submitted to the Department by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. These quarterly performance reports include details of the numbers of individuals prevented from entering emergency accommodation, and those exiting emergency accommodation into tenancies, the reason for presentation and the duration of stay in emergency accommodation.
A category for ‘Leaving an Institution – Care/Hospital/Prison/Refuge’ as a household reason for presenting and entering emergency accommodation was added to the local authority quarterly performance returns in Q3 2024.
Progress and Performance Reports are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/.
A national Youth Homelessness Strategy was developed for the period 2023 - 2025, and aimed to help young people aged 18-24 who were experiencing or were at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Strategy recognised that there are certain cohorts of young people who are at heightened risk of homelessness or disproportionately represented in the young homeless population.
The Supported Housing for Youth (SHY) pilot commenced in the Dublin region in 2024 with the aim of addressing the specific needs of young people aged 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness. Participants receive tailored supports to sustain their tenancy and access education, training, or employment. The programme is time-limited, with the goal of enabling independent living in long-term accommodation. To date, 23 young people have exited emergency accommodation and moved into SHY accommodation with wraparound supports.
In addition, Cork City Council is developing a Shared Accommodation Scheme pilot to provide transitional shared housing for young people in Cork City. This will deliver 38 single-storey modular units. It is intended that this project will provide accommodation for up to 72 young people in the 36 units with, onsite supports available via two community support units. This project will support young people to leave or avoid entering emergency accommodation. The units have been built and are now on site. An operational group has been established to support the selection of participants in this pilot. It is intended that the units will be occupied in the coming months.
398. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any review, assessment or consultation process has been undertaken regarding barriers faced by victims of domestic abuse in accessing HAP supports, emergency accommodation or social housing allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41155/26]
View answer401. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any national guidance exists for local authorities regarding the treatment of domestic abuse victims under social housing allocation schemes or homelessness assessment processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41158/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 401 together.
Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including victims and survivors of domestic abuse, is a priority for my Department and Government.
The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency under the remit of the Department of Justice.
My Department, working with Cuan, supports the development of Domestic Violence Refuges through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). CAS provides up to 100% capital funding to Approved Housing Bodies to advance Refuge projects in partnership with Domestic Violence groups. My Department and the Housing Agency work closely with the relevant local authorities and Cuan to support, provide technical advice, and advance these projects from initial design through to construction and completion.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
Under the Housing Act 1988, it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
In 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence. The issuing of this 2017 policy and guidance was a significant action in the second national strategy on DSGBV 2016-2021, and has since played an important role in addressing the housing needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV, providing direction to local authorities in supporting victims of domestic violence. It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports. These include provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.
In June 2022 the Department of Justice published Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV 2022-2026. As an action in this strategy, my Department committed to a review of the 2017 Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs in order to ensure continuing effectiveness and consistency in responses to assist victims of domestic violence. My Department has engaged with Cuan in relation to this review and proposed recommendations arising from the review. Any updates to the policy and guidance will be communicated to local authorities in due course. In the meantime, local authorities operate in accordance with the 2017 Guidance.
With regard to social housing support, the qualification criteria for social housing support are set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned. Each application must be considered on its own merits and the individual circumstances taken into account. Local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need, which can include victims of domestic violence.
The HAP Place Finder service assists households in or at immediate risk of homelessness primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments. These elements are the core financial supports and are available to prospective tenants in all local authority areas. To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988. The operation of local homeless services, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and can also apply a couple rate to a single person household, where required. Up to 50% discretion can be provided in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted.
In addition to the above supports, a new protocol was established in 2020 when the Minister for Social Protection agreed to make rent supplement more accessible to victims of domestic violence. This measure aims to ensure that they are not prevented from leaving their homes because of financial or accommodation difficulties.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Local authorities and their service delivery partners work closely with all households in need of emergency accommodation to provide appropriate emergency accommodation, and the ultimate aim is to support them to secure an exit to a tenancy.
My Department will ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
399. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities operate any dedicated prioritisation pathway, emergency transfer mechanism or accelerated assessment process for victims of domestic abuse seeking social housing support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41156/26]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations prescribes the timescales for the processing of applications by local authorities and provides that, subject to conditions, a local authority shall deal with an application within a period of 12 weeks. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and ensure that such applications are dealt with within time-frames that are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum.
Currently, it is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. However, and in line with a commitment in the housing plan, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented this year.
My Department has already engaged with local authorities and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to develop this protocol. The structures to progress this commitment are in place, including a dedicated group of local authority Directors of Housing that is working with my Department to ensure that the protocol is workable, meets the needs of those who can benefit from it, and is finalised as soon as possible.
Notwithstanding this commitment, local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time. Local authorities may also provide for exceptional or emergency cases to qualified households, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting lists priorities, should circumstances require. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.
400. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether data is collected regarding the number of persons presenting as homeless or seeking emergency accommodation due to domestic abuse, broken down by local authority area and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41157/26]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of March 2026. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitisation open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. These quarterly performance reports include regional information on presentations to homeless services by new single adult and family households who entered emergency accommodation. The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department.
Since Q2 2023, local authorities have been reporting the reasons for presentations by single adult and family households who newly enter emergency accommodation. A category for ‘Domestic Violence’ as a household reason for presenting and entering emergency accommodation was added to the progress report in Q1 2024, and ‘Leaving an Institution’ (which includes Care/Hospital/Prison/Refuge) was added in Q3 2024.
Progress and performance reports are available on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/.
402. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that planning permission restrictions are eased to the extent to allow for an increased number of homes to be built for young families (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41318/26]
View answerAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in of 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 (NPS) 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 (NPF), 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 draft 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.
The NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, which remain in effect pending the finalisation of the draft National Planning Statement, enable planning authorities to prepare and adopt local development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas.
When making a decision in relation to an application for permission, a planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, regard being had to, inter alia, the National Planning Framework, the provisions of the relevant development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect until they are revoked or replaced by a new National Planning Statement.
403. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an urgent update following the National Monuments Service meeting of 10 February 2026 with the archaeological licence holder in relation to a site (details supplied); whether any decisions or directions have issued since; if not, the reason for the ongoing delay; when a determination will issue to the applicant; if his Department will address the exceptional and unforeseen archaeological costs arising in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41319/26]
View answerThe case referred to relates to an archaeological excavation carried out in advance of construction of a house. The requirement to carry out such archaeological excavation arose from the conditions of the relevant grant of planning permission.
The role of my Department in the case was firstly, as a statutory consultee in the planning process, to advise the planning authority regarding possible archaeological implications and, secondly, to deal with the application for an archaeological excavation licence under section 26 of the National Monuments Act 1930. I understand that, in the course of both the planning and licensing processes, my Department did note to relevant parties the archaeological potential of the lands in question.
As is standard, the archaeological excavation licence was granted on the basis that the licence applicant had secured funding from the appropriate source. Any contractual arrangements in that regard are clearly a matter for the parties concerned. As is also standard, the archaeological excavation licence in question was granted subject to a set of conditions, including ones relating to the carrying out of post-excavation analysis and the preparation of reports. The licence having been granted, the role of my Department is now primarily to assess compliance with the conditions of the licence based on submitted reports, rather than to direct the carrying out of post-excavation work.
Within that framework, my Department is nevertheless aware of the extensive archaeological remains found in the course of the excavations and their potential to be of especial significance and sensitivity. My Department will therefore engage further with the relevant parties with a view to facilitating an appropriate outcome. I am not in a position to provide an exact time-scale for this, but I can assure the Deputy that the matter has the full attention of my Department.
404. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on any proposed changes to the policy or guidance governing Transport Infrastructure Ireland objections to one-off housing developments with access onto national roads; if a review has taken place following issues raised in Dáil Éireann in January 2026 regarding restrictions affecting rural families and young farmers seeking planning permission on lands adjoining national roads; whether revised guidance is being considered to allow for greater flexibility where existing family entrances already exist onto a national route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41320/26]
View answer405. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of concerns among young farmers and rural families that current policies applied by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) may prevent them from obtaining planning permission for homes on family lands adjoining national roads, including along the N70 Ring of Kerry; whether discussions have taken place between his Department and TII regarding a more balanced approach to rural housing needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41321/26]
View answer406. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current criteria used by Transport Infrastructure Ireland when assessing planning applications for houses with access onto national roads; whether exemptions or special consideration apply in cases where there are existing entrances serving family homes or farm holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41322/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 405 and 406 together.
The Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines, issued in 2012 as Ministerial Guidelines by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), set out the circumstances under which access to national roads can be provided. Planning authorities are required to have regard to the Guidelines in the performance of their functions. Whilst the Guidelines are focused on national roads, the regional road network also provides essential links between many large settlements and may include busy stretches of road. As such the guidelines may also inform the management of regional roads in particular circumstances.
The Guidelines state that local authority Development Plans must include policies which seek to maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of national roads and associated junctions, avoiding the creation of new accesses and the intensification of existing accesses to national roads where a speed limit greater than 50 kmh applies. The guidelines do state that, in certain circumstances, planning authorities may identify stretches of national secondary roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan.
Development plans and any relevant local area plans may provide for a limited level of direct access to national roads to facilitate orderly urban development on the approaches to or exit from urban centres that are subject to a speed limit of 60 kmh before a lower 50 kmh limit is encountered. The Guidelines also state that access to national roads will be considered by planning authorities in accordance with normal road safety, traffic management and urban design criteria for built up areas where a 50 kmh limit applies.
Both the zoning of land under the Planning and Development Acts, and the setting of speed limits under the Road Traffic Act, are reserved functions of local authorities. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a Local Authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) 2025, sets out high-level national policies and objectives, which are essential to achieving proper planning and sustainable development, with a clear vision to guide future development and investment decisions.
The NPF sets out the spatial planning policy approach to accommodating projected population and housing growth to 2040 in a manner which delivers balanced regional development and more sustainable compact growth of our cities and towns.
Regarding rural areas, the NPF recognises that the Irish countryside is, and will continue to be, a living and lived-in landscape, in line with NSO 3 ‘Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities’, while at the same time protecting the capacity of the environment and avoiding ribbon and over-spill development from urban areas. As set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030- An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in of the second half of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for one-off rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the NPF.
The Rural Housing National Planning Statement will expand, in particular, on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 of the NPF, 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 applied by planning authorities in the assessment of development proposals for new one-off housing in rural areas under urban influence.
Rural Housing Guidelines were last issued in 2005 as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and these continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF. These Guidelines provide that people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, on the basis of an economic or social need, should be facilitated in all rural areas. In areas under strong urban influence, the policy is to direct urban generated housing into cities, towns and villages. In a rural area suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.
The local authority development plan is the principal planning policy tool to achieve these national objectives at a local level. When preparing a development plan, planning authorities were required under the 2000 Act to have regard to any Ministerial Guidelines issued under section 28 of that Act, and to apply any specific planning policy requirements contained within those Guidelines. Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be replaced with National Planning Statements (NPSs) issued under Section 25 of the new Planning and Development Act of 2024. All development plans must be ‘materially consistent’ with any National Planning Policies and Measures and take ‘due account’ of any National Planning Policy Guidance in an NPS.
Following the commencement of Chapter 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 in October 2025, my Department is reviewing existing Guidelines with the intention of replacing them with National Planning Statements under Section 25 of the new Act of 2024.
As already noted, my Department is currently preparing a draft National Planning Statement on Rural Housing for Government approval, to be issued under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024, which will provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the Country. Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 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 new Rural Housing 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.
In the interests of clarity, all current Ministerial Guidelines will continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024 until such time as they are revoked or replaced by a National Planning Statement.
407. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41389/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
