Housing Minister James Browne says new planning changes are aimed at making it easier for people in rural Ireland to build homes

New guidelines aimed at making it easier for some people to build one-off homes in rural areas are set to go before Cabinet this week.

Housing Minister James Browne and Minister of State John Cummins are expected to outline plans for a major overhaul of rural housing rules, with a focus on two key areas - social need and economic need.

Under the proposals, restrictions will remain tighter around cities and towns to prevent urban sprawl, as well as in highly sensitive scenic and amenity areas.

However, in some high-amenity locations, including certain coastal, river valley and lakeside areas, new homes may be considered where there is a clear local rural housing need.

The guidelines will place a strong focus on people with established links to rural communities. Applicants under social need criteria will generally need to have strong local connections, including having lived in the area for up to 10 years, either continuously or over time.

Under economic need criteria, preference will be given to people whose work depends on living in a rural area, including those involved in farming, forestry, the equine sector, essential services, or running a rural business. Remote working alone will not qualify as an economic need.

Special provisions will also apply in Gaeltacht areas, where applicants will generally need to live within three kilometres of the site and have a 10-year connection to the area. This may be reduced to five years for Irish speakers who can demonstrate a local need.

The proposals are part of a wider housing agenda being brought to Cabinet by Minister Browne, who will also seek approval for a measure allowing survivors of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence to transfer time spent on social housing waiting lists between local authorities.

Meanwhile, Cabinet will also hear that child poverty levels in Ireland have fallen from 8.5% to 7.8% between 2024 and 2025.

The Taoiseach’s Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme will present its final progress report, with the Government aiming to reduce child poverty to 3% by 2030.