Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The guidelines for planning authorities and sustainable rural housing 2005 were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and require planning authorities to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way. Since 2018 the national planning framework. NPF, is the national policy document providing the overall strategy for the future development of Ireland. National policy objective, NPO, 19 aims to ensure that policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas. Updated rural housing planning guidelines are being prepared by my Department to ensure consistency with current requirements and legislation at national and EU level in respect of areas related to rural housing such as environmental protection, the Gaeltacht and climate action. The new guidelines will ensure a more consistent approach between counties and alignment with good planning policy. A draft should be ready by the first quarter of 2022.

See this speech in context