Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in view of the housing crisis that currently exists, local authorities such as in County Kildare might be encouraged to facilitate indigenous housing applications in rural areas in circumstances in which previously such persons have been encouraged to locate in an urban setting, having particular regard to the need to ensure the utilisation of every option to address the housing needs of the county in accordance with good planning and a response to the social demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17343/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing in April 2005, which set out the national policy framework for planning authorities in drawing up their statutory development plans in relation to the issue of housing in rural areas, taking into account local circumstances and the type of area involved, including areas near large cities and towns, which need careful management of development pressures and other rural areas experiencing population decline.

Under the Guidelines, planning authorities are required to frame their planning policies in a balanced and measured way that ensures that the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing and haphazard development in areas near cities and towns. The Guidelines also aim to ensure that sites being developed for rural housing are suitable with regard to access and wastewater disposal, and also from landscape and design perspectives.

It is a matter for individual planning authorities to prepare their development plans and the policies contained within such plans, taking account of local and varying geographical and landscape circumstances, as well as the approaches set out under the Guidelines in relation to rural-generated housing. It is also a matter for planning authorities, as well as An Bord Pleanála, to implement the Guidelines and local planning policies in assessing and deciding on individual planning applications and appeals under the development management consent process.

My Department maintains a constant overview of the practical implementation of all statutory planning guidelines, including the 2005 Rural Housing Guidelines. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's key priority is delivering upon the commitments contained in its Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which collectively aim to accelerate the delivery of housing in key areas of demand, particularly in the major urban areas.

With regard to housing requirements that, from a planning policy point of view, are considered to be best facilitated in an urban setting, I am confident that the broad array of policy measures this Government is taking will ensure that such requirements can be met within the fabric of our cities, towns and villages, avoiding a repeat of past mistakes when rural areas in the vicinity of our cities and towns developed in a haphazard, uncoordinated manner, with consequent adverse implications for the amenities and environment of those areas and strategic infrastructure provision.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the degree to which the planning process has been accelerated to facilitate the rapidly emerging needs of persons on local authority housing lists in danger of becoming homeless due to repossession of buy-to-let properties or repossession through mortgage arrears; the extent to which targets can be increased, both in numbers and in deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17345/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the planning process, the recently enacted Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 amended section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, relating to the arrangements for approval by local authorities of their own development proposals, often referred to as the Part 8 process and providing for greater clarity around timelines associated with the various steps in the process.

Under the new arrangements, the maximum timeframe for the determination of local authority own development proposals is 20 weeks from the date of issue of the proposals for public consultation by the Chief Executive, whereas previously there was no maximum timeframe. These reforms provide greater certainty around the timeframes for such proposals, including proposals for social housing projects and infrastructure servicing both public and private development.

In relation to assisting people to stay in their homes, this Government is committed to supporting households in long-term mortgage arrears to remain in their homes, where possible. In this regard, there are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes funded by my Department. One scheme facilitates a local authority in acquiring ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant. The second scheme provides for an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to acquire ownership of a property with an unsustainable private mortgage, which also enables the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant. Both schemes are part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process.  Both schemes target only the most acute arrears cases where a mortgage is clearly unsustainable and the household have very limited options, if any, to provide for itself.

To support the ambitious Rebuilding Ireland target of 47,000 new social housing units, I have secured €5.35 billion in Exchequer investment over the period to 2021. This comprises some €4.5 billion in capital funding and €844 million in support of programmes funded from current expenditure.

I am committed to tackling the range of challenges in the housing sector. The publication of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan underpins this resolve and has seen a new level of ambition on housing. I am confident that the multi-stranded actions involved represent a well-judged and comprehensive response to the urgent need for social housing and to respond to the need for a significant increase in housing supply generally.