Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the local authorities with a view to ensuring that the housing requirements in planning terms for the indigenous population of rural Ireland are met in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with officials in the relevant Government Departments on the matter of planning and development in rural areas with particular reference to the need to meet the housing requirements of the indigenous rural population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

As I have said previously in response to the Deputy, most recently in response to his Question No. 35 of 10 June last, I have no statutory responsibility for rural housing or for the operation of local authorities. Planning permission is primarily a matter for local authorities under the relevant legislation and guidelines issued by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) addresses many of my concerns on issues such as rural housing. The rural settlement policy framework contained in the NSS, which represents overall Government policy on rural housing, aims to sustain and renew established rural communities while strengthening the structure of villages and smaller settlements to support local economies. In this way it seeks to ensure key assets in rural areas are protected to support quality of life and that rural settlement policies are responsive to the local circumstances of different areas.

I and officials in my Department continue to liaise regularly with Ministers and with officials in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and with various Local Authorities and other bodies and organisations on issues concerning rural development.