Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received indications from the various local authorities that his recently announced planning guidelines in respect of rural housing are being implemented; if he has satisfied himself that the guidelines as announced are likely to be of benefit to the indigenous rural population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15784/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing came into effect on 13 April 2005. Their purpose is to support the accommodation of rural housing needs, while ensuring that housing development in rural areas is sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms.

Draft guidelines were published in March 2004 to give all those interested an opportunity to comment before the guidelines were finalised in statutory form. In the meantime, planning authorities were asked to implement the draft guidelines in exercising their functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000. My Department received more than 105 submissions from interested organisations and individuals in regard to the draft guidelines. Many of the suggestions contained in the submissions have been incorporated into the final guidelines.

The guidelines provide that reasonable proposals on suitable sites for persons who are part of and contribute to the rural community should be accommodated. This is subject to the need for proper consideration of matters such as adequate wastewater disposal and road safety. The guidelines state that the housing needs of emigrants who now wish to return to their home places on retirement or for other reasons should be facilitated. There is also a provision which indicates that planning authorities should grant permission in cases where exceptional health circumstances, as certified by a doctor and the relevant disability organisation, may require a person to live in a particular environment or close to family support.

The guidelines stress the need for a balanced and informed approach by planning authorities in assessing the design aspects of proposals and not to be overly prescriptive. They also place a stronger emphasis on a better and more courteous service from planning authorities and improved co-operation between planning authorities and applicants, particularly at the pre-planning phase of applications. The application of the new guidelines will serve to enhance housing development in rural areas in a sustainable fashion. Local authorities have been implementing the draft guidelines since March 2004 and have been asked to implement the finalised guidelines since their launch on 13 April 2005.

I intend that my Department will monitor the effectiveness of the guidelines. My Department is also making arrangements for a series of regional seminars for local authority planners on the practical implementation of the guidelines. The seminars will provide practical advice on the implementation of the core provisions of the guidelines, including preparation of development plan policies, the provision of better support and advice to applicants, and more efficient and comprehensive consideration of planning applications.