Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Flaherty. Updated rural housing guidelines are being prepared to expand on national policy objective 19 of the national planning framework, which makes a policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence on the one hand and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining on the other. Under the national planning framework, considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence. The draft guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in development plans for rural housing based on the considerations detailed in NPO 19 of the national planning framework and will highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, to avoid overdevelopment.

Due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms and will comply with EU environmental legislation and decisions of the European Court of Justice. The guidelines will address these complex issues while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas. The draft guidelines are subject to legal review and, following my approval, the draft guidelines will be published for a period of public consultation.

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