Launch Of New Housing Policy Is a Positive Step for Rural Ireland – IFA
The IFA said today’s launch of the Draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement, which took place on the farm of Kevin Sweeney, IFA Louth County Chair, is a positive step for rural Ireland.
IFA President Francie Gorman said excessive planning restrictions that prevent access to housing have become one of the main barriers facing young people and families who want to live, work, and be part of a community in rural Ireland.
“We have pursued this issue for some time as it’s something that our members in every part of the country bring up. For too long, rigid and inconsistent planning guidelines have prevented people with genuine local and family connections from building houses and making homes in their own communities. The launch of today’s policy should go some way towards addressing this problem.”
Louth IFA Chair Kevin Sweeney, who farms in partnership with his parents, built a house beside them and is now raising his young family on the farm, showing the importance of keeping rural families connected to their communities.
“Building a home next to my parents has allowed us to stay close to our roots and continue farming as a family. Other families must have the same chance to live and work in rural areas without the planning obstacles that have been holding them back,” he said.
“This new policy must deliver several clear outcomes including a real reduction in the planning restrictions; an increase in housing delivery in rural Ireland; a more practical, consistent and cost-efficient planning system; and support for the long-term future of farming families and rural communities.”
“IFA will work with Ministers James Browne, Dara Calleary, John Cummins, and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran to make sure this new policy delivers real benefits across all parts of rural Ireland,” said the IFA President.
