Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to set up a national monitoring committee to oversee the consistent implementation of the sustainable rural housing guidelines. [18770/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 249 and 250 of 3 April 2008.

The Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities were published in April 2005, and have a statutory basis as they were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Guidelines are designed to achieve a balance between a good planning framework for rural housing and the local housing needs of those who are part of, or have links to, local rural communities.

In a circular letter issued in May 2005, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála were asked to put in place the required procedures and practices to implement the policies set out in the Guidelines as quickly and effectively as possible. My Department also held two seminars for local authority planning officials on the implementation of the Guidelines. While respecting the need to consider each planning application individually and on its own merits, planning officials were asked to ensure that the provisions of the Guidelines are applied consistently and uniformly.

All planning authorities were also requested to take immediate steps to review their development plans so as to incorporate any changes necessary to promote consistency with the policies set out in the Guidelines. This has been done, with some authorities varying their plans and others incorporating the Guidelines into the reviews of development plans. The Guidelines are a material consideration both in relation to development plans and in the consideration of planning applications. Detailed application to particular planning cases is, however, a matter for the planning authority concerned or An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate.

My Department will continue to monitor implementation of sustainable rural planning policies to ensure appropriate consistency in the application of guidance across all counties.