O'Meara welcomes progress on Rural Housing Planning
Deputy O'Meara said the announcement would be welcomed by families across North Tipperary
Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary, Ryan O'Meara, has welcomed confirmation that work is underway on a new National Planning Statement on Rural Housing, which will provide greater clarity and consistency for people seeking to build homes in rural Ireland.
The new Statement, which is due to be published in the second half of 2026, will update and replace the existing Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines and build on the commitments contained in the Revised National Planning Framework.
Deputy O'Meara said the announcement would be welcomed by families across North Tipperary and rural communities throughout the country.
"For many people in North Tipperary and across rural Ireland, the opportunity to build a home in their own community is hugely important. It allows people to stay close to family, put down roots where they grew up and continue contributing to the life and vitality of rural towns and villages.
"It should not be a privilege to build a house and live in the area in which you grew up. I hear from young people and families who want to remain in, or return to, their own communities, but are finding it increasingly difficult to secure planning permission for a one-off rural home.
"One of the issues that has arisen in recent years is a lack of consistency between different planning authorities. The purpose of this new National Planning Statement is to provide greater clarity and certainty for people engaging with the planning system while continuing to support rural communities.
"I have been working with Fianna Fáil Housing Minister James Browne on the matter, who has been clear that he is driving on with providing clarity for people and their families living in rural areas.
"In North Tipperary, I regularly hear concerns about access onto regional roads, sightline requirements, ribbon development and the difficulties people face when trying to build on family land. We need a planning system that is practical, proportionate and recognises the realities of rural life.
"I welcome the Government's commitment to bringing revised rural housing guidelines to Cabinet in the coming weeks. It is important that these guidelines provide clarity for applicants while recognising the importance of supporting rural communities and rural housing."
"Supporting rural Ireland means supporting people who want to live, work and raise families in their own communities. This Statement is about providing certainty within the planning system and ensuring rural housing policy remains fit for purpose in the years ahead," Deputy O’Meara said.