Rural Planning: Statements Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-10 ============================================================ John Cummins (FG), Waterford I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members for giving me the opportunity to update the House on the subject of rural planning. As announced in the Government’s housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I will, subject to Government approval, issue a national planning statement, NPS, on rural housing in the second half of this year. However, both the Minister, Deputy Browne and I are working to finalise a draft of the proposed NPS in the coming days in a bid to bring it to Cabinet very shortly. The draft NPS will then undergo a full environmental assessment process, which includes public consultation. The new statement will refine, update and replace the existing 2005 sustainable rural housing guidelines to reflect the established policy in the national planning framework which supports new housing in rural areas and rural development more generally. The new statement will provide more clarity and consistency across the various planning authorities by defining where and how rural housing can be developed. The new national planning statement will build on established policy in the revised national planning framework of 2025 which seeks to facilitate and promote new rural housing for those with a local housing need to live or work in a rural area, balanced with protecting the rural character of the countryside, preventing urban-generated sprawl and promoting regeneration of rural settlements. In particular, the statement will expand on national policy objective, NPO, 28 of the national planning framework, which makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence, that is, those 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. I believe the development of housing for people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, based on an economic or social need, should be facilitated subject to regular planning considerations around site suitability, house design and other appropriate factors. Since the publication of the current sustainable rural housing guidelines in 2005, which continue to have effect, there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European directives and international agreements. That is why we are seeking to urgently bring forward an update of these guidelines. Importantly, it is clear to me that since the guidelines were issued 21 years ago, inconsistencies in the implementation of rural housing policy have arisen in the approaches of local authorities. That can be incredibly frustrating for the public, where someone in one county might be facilitated to build a rural one-off house whereas someone in the same circumstances in a neighbouring county might not. The new national planning statement is being devised with this in mind and will seek to bring clarity and consistency of approach nationally, so that if you are in Donegal, Clare, Waterford or Louth, applications for rural housing will be adjudicated on a level playing field. It is also our intention to address planning policy regarding rural and Gaeltacht housing together given the key interactions between rural housing generally and housing in Gaeltacht areas. Officials in my Department are engaging with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to consider how that is achieved in an appropriate manner. It is fair to say that a significant overhaul of the existing rural planning guidelines will be implemented through this new national planning statement that will make it easier for people who are from or who have a need to live in a rural area to attain planning permission, with the grounds for refusal narrowed, particularly around the likes of ribbon or backland development. In addition to rural one-off housing, the Government is also progressing a range of actions contained within the Government’s housing action plan that will support the delivery of increased housing supply and housing choice throughout the country, including in rural and Gaeltacht areas. The town centre first policy, which is a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, has put in place a suite of measures, including the alignment of various funding schemes to support the regeneration, repopulation and development of rural towns and villages. A number of major Government funding streams are now aligned closely with the town centre first policy approach, with a focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, increasing housing supply and providing the necessary facilities and public infrastructure to attract more people into rural settlements. The rural regeneration and development fund, which is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, is a key capital investment scheme which directly supports the objectives of Our Rural Future and the town centre first policy. The town and village renewal scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. In line with our commitment in Our Rural Future, the town and village renewal scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities to respond to changing needs and opportunities. The ready to build scheme, which was launched in September 2022 under the croí cónaithe towns fund, local authorities make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individual purchasers. These sites are available at a discount on the market value for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. The level of discount depends on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority, with discounts up to a maximum of €30,000. The vacant homes unit in my Department is currently engaging with local authorities and the CCMA on a review of this scheme. This, coupled with the CPO activation programme, the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant and call 3 of the urban regeneration and development fund, are supporting those in rural towns and villages across Ireland to deliver new homes that respond to the varying needs and aspirations of their communities and to tackle issues relating to vacancy and dereliction. Ultimately, the issue of rural housing planning policy has been a priority of mine since coming into this position last year. I assure the House that both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I are working together to finalise these changes very shortly. Every year, up to 5,000 one-off rural homes are delivered throughout the country. We believe the changes we intend to introduce will see that number increase, not at the expense of rural towns and villages but in support of them. I thank Members in this House for their support for the impending changes we are due to bring in. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-10/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:02+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-06-10