Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in the context of the national planning framework or any spatial strategy review, provision will be made to ensure that the indigenous rural population throughout the country will continue to be in a position to obtain permission to house themselves in rural areas, thus ensuring a continued viable rural community and alleviation of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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No decision on the detailed content or approach to be contained within the Framework has been taken by me or the Government at this stage. Indeed, I intend that the development of the Framework, one of the most strategically important public policy exercises currently underway by the Government, will be a collaborative exercise, the ultimate success of which will depend on the degree to which all interested parties have the opportunity to have their say on how Ireland should develop over the next twenty years or more, and how we can plan for and accommodate the substantial additional population expected by 2040 in a more strategic and sustainable way. It will be up to the general public, various public bodies and any other stakeholders to put forward their views, including in relation to rural development issues, to my Department which is undertaking a number of technical analyses and assessments of all relevant material submitted in developing the Framework which must address the strategic territorial planning and regional development issues that our country faces between now and 2040, in relation to rural and urban, as well as terrestrial and marine, elements.

In addition to the draft NPF being subject to public consultation, the Framework will also be submitted to the Oireachtas for its consideration later this year.