Jim O'Keeffe
Question:98 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government his policy in relation to planning permission for single houses in rural Ireland. [28379/03]
Vol. 575 No. 4
98 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government his policy in relation to planning permission for single houses in rural Ireland. [28379/03]
103 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government when he intends to introduce the promised guidelines under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002 to deal with the issue of one off housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28440/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 103 together.
Overall Government policy on rural housing is set out in the national spatial strategy, NSS, published in November 2003. The rural settlement policy framework contained in the NSS aims to sustain and renew established rural communities, while strengthening the structure of villages and smaller settlements to support local economies, ensuring that key assets in rural areas are protected to support quality of life and ensuring also that rural settlement policies are responsive to the differing local circumstances in different areas. It is of particular importance, as the Taoiseach and I have made clear, that we cater for those who have roots in an area and make an economic contribution to that area.