Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cowley for raising this question. As Members are aware, I take a particular interest in rural housing and in the right of people to live in their own area. The guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing came into effect in April 2005. While the fact they are called guidelines is often taken to mean they are not statutorily based, they are. Although local authorities sometimes assert they do not have a statutory basis, this is incorrect. The guidelines were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which requires planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to guidelines in the performance of their planning functions.

The guidelines provide that reasonable planning proposals on suitable sites in rural areas for persons who are part of, contribute to, or have links with the rural community should be accommodated. As Deputy Cowley is aware, the guidelines also deal specifically with those who have a need because of disability and those who wish to return to their home place, particularly emigrants who have been abroad for a long time. The guidelines thus affirm a presumption in favour of quality one-off housing in rural communities, provided proposals meet normal standards in respect of matters such as proper waste water disposal and road safety. The guidelines also classify rural areas for housing purposes and specifically address those locations, such as CLÁR areas, that have suffered from depopulation. The guidelines make specific reference to areas which have suffered systematic depopulation. Following publication of the guidelines, my Department held two seminars for local authority planning officials on implementation of the guidelines and held discussions on the matter with the planning committee of the County and City Managers Association.

Planning authorities have been asked to review their development plans with a view to incorporating any changes necessary to ensure development plan policies are consistent with the policies set out in the guidelines. My Department is continuing to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the guidelines on an ongoing basis.

As I stated previously to Members of this House and in Seanad Éireann, if there are instances where there is a clear breach of the guidelines, I would be delighted to hear about them.

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