Senator Victor Boyhan has said more information on rural housing options needs to be provided.

The senator said that many farmers and young rural dwellers are now excited about the "real possibility of planning and building a new home" close to their family.

He said they want to learn more about what is required when it comes to housing.

Rural housing

Senator Boyhan said he has asked the Department of Housing along with the Department of Rural and Community Development to collaborate on producing a question and answer information pack on the national planning statement in relation to rural housing.

This is in order to "provide clarity, consistency, timelines, and process applicable" to rural housing options, Senator Boyhan said.

"Rural communities expect rural housing activation measures to be proactively advanced," he said.

"I have called on local planners to be supported in facilitating pre-planning meetings with applicants and their agents to get their plans appraised and validated in compliance with the planning code and local development plan objectives.

"Clearly, one-off housing on family-owned land or farm homesteads will require access to electricity and water services, so timely engagement with utility services and companies will be essential to get plans off the ground."

Housing options

The senator said that farmers accept that the right to build a new home in rural areas will be "based on the principles of need, proper planning and sustainable development and appropriate regulation".

"The rationale behind my advocacy has always been that those that need to build their own home in rural Ireland will be permitted to do so if the applicant can demonstrate that they have a clear economic or social need to reside in their rural community," Senator Boyhan added.

"I have always made the case that rural housing must form part of the solution to increase new homes and support rural community development in any plan to increase housing options for all."