Rural housing policy to go before cabinet in coming weeks
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that changes to the rural housing rules will come before cabinet "in the next number of weeks".
The Taoiseach's comments have been welcomed by Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae.
Healy-Rae had asked the Taoiseach in the Dáil when the national planning statement for rural planning will be announced, and what it will do help people to build houses for themselves.
In response, the Taoiseach said: "This is a very important issue for people generally, but young people and young couples in particular, in rural Ireland.
"Given the housing crisis we are in, we simply have to look at every avenue to increase housing capacity.
"The Minister [James Browne] and the Minister of State with responsibility for housing [John Cummins] have been working substantively on this with significant proposals. I envisage that in the next number of weeks, they will bring it to cabinet," the Taoiseach said.
Speaking after the Dáil discussion, Healy-Rae said: "I very much welcome the Taoiseach’s confirmation that significant proposals on rural planning are now nearing completion and that a national planning statement is expected to be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks.
"This is something I have been campaigning and fighting for over many years," he added.
"For too long, young people, young couples, farming families and those with genuine ties to rural areas have faced unnecessary obstacles when trying to build a home in their own community," Healy-Rae said.
"Areas across Kerry have been effectively sterilised by planning policies that have not reflected the realities of rural life.
The independent TD said he has "consistently raised" concerns regarding the interpretation and application of planning guidelines, particularly in relation to national roads, existing family lands and "the ability of local authorities to exercise common sense when assessing applications".
"I have been raising these issues with successive ministers, taoisigh, local authorities and officials for years. I have consistently argued that if we are serious about tackling the housing crisis, we cannot ignore the people who simply want to build a home in the parish where they were born and raised," he said.
However, according to Healy-Rae, the details of the proposal will be crucial.
"The announcement is welcome, but the real test will be what is contained within the final policy. We need clear direction to local authorities, practical solutions for rural families and a planning system that supports sustainable rural communities rather than working against them," he said.
"I look forward to seeing the details when they are published and I will continue to push for meaningful changes that will allow people to build homes, remain in their communities and keep rural Ireland alive," Healy-Rae added.
He said: "This is potentially one of the most important planning reforms in a generation for rural Ireland. It is a development that many families have been waiting a very long time to see."
