Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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359. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when updated wind energy development guidelines can be expected, particularly in regard to setback distances from households related to the significant height of modern turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including setback distance as well as noise, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Climate, Environment, and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.

Further to this engagement, DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is now substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance and setback distance.

In addition to work on the noise aspects of the Guidelines, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024, which was signed by the President on 17 October last, and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.

With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 - Annex of Actions sets out a timeline of Q1 2025 for publication of the final updated Guidelines. My Department is working towards meeting this commitment, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the National Planning Framework. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the actions he will take to ensure rural communities are protected from over saturation of industrial-scale wind energy developments and their adverse effects on residential amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4155/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Planning Framework (NPF) 2018, the long-term strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040, provides support for renewable energy development, including wind energy developments. The NPF, which is currently undergoing it's first revision, informs a spatial hierarchy of plans that cascade to regional and local levels. The draft Revised NPF includes enhanced policy support for renewable energy development, including in particular the introduction of regional renewable electricity capacity allocations for wind energy to achieve the national targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024.

Subject to final approval of the revised NPF by the Government and Oireachtas, these allocations will be integrated into Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, which will, in turn, inform city and county development plans and will lead to the identification of areas where large-scale wind energy development will be directed towards, and areas which may not be appropriate for such development.

At the local level, the city and county development plans set out where ancillary development is acceptable, which may include wind energy development. The making of the local city or county development plan is a reserved function of the local authority members. It is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on a draft city or county development plan.

In addition to the NPF, the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The Guidelines are intended to ensure consistency in the identification of suitable location for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for wind energy developments.

My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of these Guidelines, to address a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. The aim of the review is to strike an appropriate balance between addressing the concerns of local communities, by ensuring that there is greater, and earlier, community engagement by wind energy developers whilst maintaining Ireland’s ability to deliver on its binding climate and renewable energy policy obligations.

With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 - Annex of Actions sets out a timeline of Q1 2025 for publication of the final updated Guidelines. My Department is working towards meeting this commitment, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.