Robert Troy
Ceist:86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will issue the updated draft rural planning guidelines. [69060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 September 2026
Ceisteanna (86)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government agreed a proposed policy direction for rural and Gaeltacht housing on 30 June 2026, enabling a proposed Draft National Planning Statement (NPS) on Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing to proceed to assessment for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), including any necessary associated consultation, which is required to be undertaken prior to its final approval by Government.
The proposed new policy approach seeks to provide more clarity and consistency across the planning system, by setting out standardised criteria for assessing local rural housing need and new guidance on language criteria for housing in Gaeltacht areas, including the introduction of a standardised approach to language competency assessments to prioritise Irish speakers.
The draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement (NPS) is now undergoing environmental assessment under the relevant EU Directives. In accordance with Section 26(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, where Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA and/or Appropriate Assessment AA are required; these assessments will be undertaken in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, the draft NPS and the associated environmental documentation will be published for public consultation, and submissions will be invited before the Statement is finalised for Government approval and subsequent issuance by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
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 provisions of the development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect until they are revoked or replaced following approval of the new NPS.