Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy in many respects that there is a rural housing challenge. However, planning permissions have been granted for almost 6,000 one-off homes on average every year since 2020.

Over 90% of those are built in rural settings. Within our Department, we have put in place a large number of policies to support the communities around that. Funding of €164 million for 30 rural regional regeneration development projects was announced in May 2024, an additional €20 million for town and village renewal and also €109 million for community centre investment. They are facilities that encourage and sustain communities. We will be working with the Minister, Deputy Browne. I look forward to engaging with Deputy McGuinness as urlabhraí Shinn Féin but also as a member of the committee with regard to what our rural future should look like. The year 2026 is very different from 2020, and there are huge opportunities we want to maximise as well as addressing the challenges. The opportunities are there, however. We want to take them and run with them.

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