100. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will be bringing forward new rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48081/26]

As set out in the Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 Action Plan, I intend to publish a finalised National Planning Statement in of the second half of 2026 that 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 in the National Planning Framework (NPF).

My Department is currently preparing a draft National Planning Statement under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024 in order to provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the country.

The NPS will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework, in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment), where the policy approach is to facilitate new rural housing for those with a local rural housing need, and wider rural areas where there is greater flexibility to build single rural housing. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of local social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in the assessment of development proposals for new one-off housing in rural areas under urban development pressures.

Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European Directives and international agreements. Due care is being taken to ensure the draft Statement will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, will comply with EU environmental requirements and will have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice.

I intend to bring a draft NPS to Government in the coming weeks setting out a proposed policy direction, and thereafter the draft NPS will be subject to assessment for the purposes of compliance with relevant EU Directives, including any necessary associated consultation, before a final draft of the NPS will be brought to Government for approval to issue.