Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the distance requirements needed to fulfil the connection to the area clause under the one off rural housing guidelines that are in place in each local authority area. [44255/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities provide that reasonable housing proposals on suitable sites for persons who are part of, and contribute to, the rural community should be accommodated, subject to the need for proper consideration of matters such as adequate wastewater disposal, road safety and design standards. The Guidelines use illustrative examples to identify those who might fall into this category including: people who have spent much of their lives in rural areas and are building their first homes; farmers and their families; returning emigrants; people involved in forestry, inland waterway and marine-related occupations; teachers in rural schools; and other people whose work is predominantly in rural areas. The Guidelines do not set any requirements in relation to distance to demonstrate local roots or links.

The adoption of local need criteria within rural settlement policy is a matter for each planning authority as part of its development plan process which is a reserved function under Part II of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002. My Department does not collect data on the application of local need criteria by local authorities.