Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Any of us in rural communities know the importance of rural planning. Much work has been done by Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who previously had responsibility for planning and local government, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. I understand the draft guidelines are due for publication and for consultation with those interested across rural Ireland and those who work in the area, such as engineers, architects and planners, and have an interest in it.

We have a severe housing shortage. The Government is doing all it can through Housing for All and, before it, Rebuilding Ireland to use the resources we have, including derelict rural houses. The Croí Cónaithe scheme has been extended to rural houses, for which I and others advocated strongly. However, planning is still a concern. While the overall figures in a county like Galway are positive in that four out of five planning applications are granted, that includes retentions, extensions and agricultural or industrial buildings. For housing, it is lower than that, particularly in areas such as Connemara, where there is a high proportion of special areas of conservation, special protection areas and natural heritage areas. The costs of preparing planning applications in such areas are extraordinary, with no guarantee of success. I understand there is no guarantee of success in planning, but it can run into the tens of thousands of euro if an appropriate assessment, Natura impact statements, hydrology reports and photo montages on its impact on the skyline are needed. I call for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell, or the Minister on the rural planning guidelines if they due for imminent publication or as soon as they are published.