Planning Issues

324. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of statements noted in the media regarding a move towards a more flexible approach to rural housing, whether the local needs criteria are to be revised or relaxed; and the way in which this will impact individuals and families seeking to build homes in rural areas. [46518/26]

325. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a more unified national approach to rural housing planning, as referenced in recent media reports; and the way in which consistency will be ensured across local authorities in the application of such policies. [46519/26]

326. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being considered to provide greater flexibility to planners in assessing rural one-off housing applications, as indicated in public commentary; and when updated guidance will issue to planning authorities. [46520/26]

600. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the costs associated with planning permission for rural one-off homes is being considered as part of examining rural planning and ahead of the publication of the Rural Planning Guidelines, if the Minister will look at this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45862/26]

601. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the length of time it takes to apply for planning permission for rural one-off homes is being considered as part of examining rural planning and ahead of the publication of the Rural Planning Guidelines, as well as the process up to decision; if he will examine reducing this timeframe; and if he will make a…

37. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department provided a submission or input to the review of exempted developments planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44078/26]

63. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has engaged with other relevant Departments to close the governance gap which exists regarding codes of practice for live events; whether his Department is in favour of codes of practice for live events falling under a single Department or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. […

178. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide an update for farmers operating on land zoned for residential use in relation to the residential zoned land tax; the analysis which has been conducted since the Finance Bill 2025; and his plans to bring forward a permanent solution. [44751/26]

1034. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a housing exemption (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41780/26]

1066. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government intends to introduce legislative or regulatory changes requiring planning permission for the conversion of hotels, apartments or guesthouses into emergency accommodation; the mandatory community consultation, and minimum safety standards for such facilities; and if he will make a statement on …

1090. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department will take to allow for modular homes under planning exemptions. [42769/26]

1104. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the excavation and report submitted by a company (details supplied) to his Department, funded by the landowner of a property will finalise the financial obligation of the landowner for further investigative work on the remains off-site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42938/26]

1108. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an overview of improvements made in the planning system since 2020; his plans for further improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42960/26]

1112. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the proposed planning exemption for modular homes and ancillary accommodation units to come into effect; the steps remaining before the necessary regulations can be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43041/26]

1113. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the introduction of the proposed planning exemptions for modular homes; whether any statutory, environmental or legal processes remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43042/26]

1139. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the introduction of the proposed amendments to the Planning and Development Act 2024 relating to rural housing policy and the operation of “local need” criteria; to confirm whether the forthcoming legislation will explicitly provide for persons in rural areas who, through no fault of their own, …

380. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has been undertaken regarding the impact of vape and smoke retail outlet proliferation on commercial vacancy patterns, retail diversity or traditional retail activity within town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/26]

381. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of national planning statements for critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/26]

384. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning legislation currently permits local authorities to regulate or restrict the concentration or clustering of vape and smoke retail outlets within towns, villages or city centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/26]

385. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to introducing planning or zoning controls relating to the density or concentration of vape and smoke retail outlets within urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/26]

386. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued planning guidance to local authorities relating to vape and smoke retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40877/26]

387. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if vape and smoke retail outlets are classified under any distinct planning-use category for the purposes of planning and development legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/26]

388. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review has been undertaken regarding the visual impact of vape and smoke retail signage, illuminated advertising or outlet clustering on historic streetscapes and town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40879/26]

402. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that planning permission restrictions are eased to the extent to allow for an increased number of homes to be built for young families (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41318/26]

715. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether planning permission can be extended where the construction company needs a short period of extension to complete projects, where the project is underway but planning permission may be due to expire before completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39903/26]