Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

557. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the work of his Department in progressing national guidelines for the development of solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments.

In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, and the possible timeframe for publication of said guidelines. Given this scoping process remains at an early stage, such guidelines, once completed, will likely issue as a National Planning Statement, subject to commencement of the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

In the interim, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy developments. Proposals for individual solar energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal. I understand from An Bord Pleanála that in 2024, there were 18 decisions made on appeals in respect of solar farms and that 17 of these were to grant planning permission.