Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
226. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the publication of rural housing guidelines in view of the European Court of Justice ruling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21660/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans and a timeframe for the review of the rural planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21601/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 228 together.
Arising 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 and is due to hold its first meeting this month. On conclusion of this review, my Department will be engaging with the European Commission on proposed changes to the Guidelines, with a view to issuing updated Guidelines to planning authorities on the matter in due course. When finalised, in the second half of 2017, 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.
