Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on proposed new rural planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24838/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to continuing to support rural one-off housing. My Department is considering how best to proceed with updating the rural housing guidelines to bring this matter to a conclusion.

The vast majority of one-off houses – well in excess of 90% - are built in rural settings. I wish to highlight that, notwithstanding the need for updated housing guidelines, planning permission has been granted for almost 6,000 one-off houses, on average, every year since 2020. Furthermore, one-off houses comprised 20% of housing completions over the 2020-24 period, with an average of 5,200 completed per annum. It is important to note that completion figures remain relatively high and stable at approximately 5,500 for each of the past three years.

The updated rural housing guidelines will aim to set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing on a consistent basis, based on a high-level policy framework set by the national planning framework.

I look forward to bringing this matter to a conclusion and working with Minister Browne and to deliver of the Programme for Government, which continues to support one-off rural housing.