John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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433. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures being considered to ensure that utility infrastructure capacity does not become a long-term barrier to rural housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36138/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The zoning of land is an exercise undertaken by planning authorities as part of the development plan process.

The making of a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority who are required by legislation to be consistent with established statutory national and regional planning policy and legislation, including as identified in the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and Ministerial and Ministerial planning guidelines.

Development plans must set out planning policies and objectives to provide for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area over the 6-year lifespan of the plan. They must also include mandatory objectives in relation to regeneration under section 10(2)(h) and provide for zoning for residential, commercial, Employment and Enterprise, industrial and other uses to such extent as the proper planning and sustainable development of the area requires. In this regard, it is for the planning authority to determine the quantum and location of lands zoned for particular purposes, having regard to the requirement to be consistent with relevant national and regional policy.

The ‘Development Plans Guidelines, for Planning Authorities’ issued under section 28 of the Act by my Department in July 2022 assist local authorities in preparing their development plan and ensuring that it is consistent with legislative and policy requirements. These guidelines emphasise that the zoning of land, including for both housing and employment uses, must have a clear rationale in identifying sites with capacity for development during the plan period, including infrastructural requirements.