Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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282. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the current planning policies requiring a minimum period of residence, often seven years, before an applicant can seek permission to build a dwelling in a rural area; if there are circumstances in which applicants who have resided in the area for less than seven years, such as five years, may be considered; and the steps he is taking to ensure that planning policies balance local housing needs with access to building opportunities for long-term residents. [49440/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Rural Housing Guidelines were last issued in 2005 as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These Guidelines provide that people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, on the basis of an economic or social need, should be facilitated in all rural areas. In areas under strong urban influence, the policy is to direct urban generated housing into cities, towns and villages. In a rural area suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.

Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the National Planning Framework) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.

Updated Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being considered by my Department. The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the Revised National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.

The draft Rural Housing Guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF. The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 28 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development.

While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft planning guidelines will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.

In June 2023, the process of revising the NPF (2018) commenced, and following approval by Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas, the Revised NPF came into effect from 30 April 2025. The finalised revised NPF reflects the significant policy changes and other factors that have taken place since 2018, allowing the updated policy approach to be integrated into the planning system.

The NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to prepare and adopt local development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas.

When making a decision in relation to an application for permission, a planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, regard being had to, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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283. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific steps in the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity which will address planning delays, approval times and regulatory burdens for housing developers in Cork suburbs e.g. Glanmire, Blarney, Bishopstown; if he will publish target timelines for planning decisions in those areas; and if resources will be allocated to local authorities to meet those targets. [49504/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan on Competitiveness & Productivity acknowledges the significant reform of planning legislation which has been undertaken since 2021, culminating in the enactment of the Planning and Development Act 2024, commencement of which is underway. The 2024 Act will result in significant improvements in terms of increased clarity, consistency and certainty for all stakeholders in the planning system, including those seeking to invest in development and undertake infrastructure projects. In particular the enhanced plan-led approach, introduction of mandatory decision making timelines for all consenting procedures including appeals, and revised judicial review arrangements, which is complemented by the establishment of the Planning and Environment Division of the High Court, will positively support improvements in our national competitiveness.

A phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 is underway to facilitate the transition from the existing legislative framework under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to that provided for under the new legislation. This transition takes into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and many other key stakeholders. A detailed Implementation Plan has been published on www.gov.ie/planning which includes a commencement schedule for the Act and a range of initiatives to support training and engagement for the planning sector in preparation of the phased transition to the new legislative framework.

The Action Plan includes actions related to regional development and the potential for improved competitiveness in our regions aligned with national enterprise policy. The recently revised National Planning Framework sets out the strategic planning framework for the sustainable growth and development of Ireland to 2040, with the core objectives of following a compact growth approach to development and securing balanced regional development across our regions, including the regional cities. The Action Plan will also support the future growth and development of all regions through the provision of funding and increased alignment of the Regional Enterprise Plans with the statutory planning system and the Revised National Planning Framework.

A new Strategic Performance and Innovation Unit has been established within the Planning Division at my Department to examine the improvement and performance within the planning system. A National Planning Excellence Framework is currently being developed and stakeholder engagement is underway to identify measures to increase efficiency and innovation and monitor performance within the public planning system.

On 15 October 2024, my Department published a Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources to respond to capacity challenges in the planning sector. This Action Plan provides a detailed roadmap to increase the pool of planning and related expertise needed to ensure a planning system fit for future needs. In October 2023, approval was conveyed for 101 posts, in the local authority planning sector under the first tranche of a programme of supports for planning resources. Under the second tranche, further approval issued in January 2025 for 112 additional posts - 56 graduate planner posts and 56 staff officer posts - to support the Planning function within local authorities.

A graduate planner recruitment campaign was launched on 13 May 2025 to attract graduate planners into Ireland’s Local Authorities, which was supported by my Department. The occupation of town planner has been added to the Critical Skills Occupation List which will allow eligible non-EEA professionals from outside of Europe to benefit from streamlined employment permit processes, making it easier for Irish employers to recruit and retain international talent in this vital sector.

My Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels in the local government planning sector. In this regard, my Department is collaborating with the Local Government Management Agency on the delivery of a further programme of supports to planning authorities. These supports include the provision of staffing resources and expertise to enable planning authorities to perform their functions efficiently and effectively.