Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
222. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the implications for building one off houses in view of a decision by a European court regarding rules (details supplied); the steps he is taking as a result of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25383/17]
View answerArising from the 2013 Judgement of the European Court of Justice referred to, my Department is currently engaged in consultations with planning authorities regarding potential modifications required to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing, with a view to ensuring that rural housing policies and objectives contained in county development plans comply with Article 43 (Freedom of Movement of People) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
A Working Group, comprising officials from planning authorities and my Department, has been established to review and revise the guidelines. The Working Group held its first meeting on 18 May last. On conclusion of this review, my Department will engage with the European Commission on proposed changes to the Guidelines, with a view to issuing updated Guidelines to planning authorities in the second half of 2017. When finalised, the revised guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Under the provisions of the Act, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
