Rural planning restrictions will be eased with the publication of new guidelines in the coming weeks, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has said.
James Browne told RTÉ News that he is "determined" that the rural housing guidelines will provide a much greater level of consistency for rural dwellers.
"We will have the rural housing guidelines published in the coming weeks. There will an easing of the restrictions of terms of building in rural Ireland, right across the country.
"I'm determined on that and that's what we will see and a much greater level of consistency as well within them," he said.
Calls for evictions ban dismissed
Mr Browne, who is visiting several social housing developments under construction in Donegal dismissed opposition calls for an eviction ban.
Calls for an eviction ban were made in response to a 50% increase in eviction notices in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2025.
The data, from the state's rent regulatory body, showed 7,062 notices of terminations in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 4,693 in 2025 as new rental rules came into force.
Residential Tenancies Board figures also indicated that the number of private landlords rose by 1.3% annually to over 105,000 tenancies.
Mr Browne said the March data showed a significant fall off with "a further fall off" expected in April's data.
He said RTB research indicated a significant number of smaller landlords were planning to exit the market.
"We've tried eviction bans in the past. They don't work. They absolutely kill supply … It is all about supply, addressing the housing crisis in this country, and that's also addressing the rental crisis, and I believe the decisions we've made will drive supply.
"Renters who go into new tenancies under the new laws will have some of the strongest rights in Europe and the strongest in the history of the state as well," he said.
Mr Browne is visiting several social housing developments under construction in the north west including developments in Letterkenny, Kilmacrennan and Lifford.
Donegal County Council is advancing social housing projects through various delivery models including in-house construction, competitive dialogue and Approved Housing Bodies partnerships.
The council has 607 social housing units under construction across 30 sites.
Plans for 1,355 further units are in the pipeline, including 157 units at contractor appointment stage, 824 units at tender or advanced design stage and a further 374 units at a pre-planning stage.
Scheme for defective social houses immiment
Mr Browne confirmed that the long-awaited publication of the standard used to assess and test homes damaged by defective concrete blocks will be published in the coming weeks.
He added its publication of IS465 will trigger a review of Defective Concrete Block (DCB) legislation.
The minister also confirmed that a funding scheme for social housing units impacted by defective concrete blocks is expected to be announced next month.
He said the Attorney General's office is finalising the legal details of the scheme. It is estimated more than 1,000 social housing units are impacted in the north west.
Later this afternoon, Mr Browne will meet the Defective Concrete Block Committee at the Donegal County Council Office’s in Lifford.
He also confirmed that a decision is imminent in the coming weeks on situations affecting homeowners seeking flexibility in certain circumstance.
Changes to DCB legislation
The DCB legislation currently requires homeowners to rebuild their homes in the same position.
Some affected homeowners sought exemptions in certain circumstances.
Homeowners who have family members with disabilities have said they cannot find suitable accommodation elsewhere.
Some residents in Elm Park, Buncrana have sought permission to relocate, rather than having to rebuild their homes.
The lower end of Elm Park has been deemed a flood risk area. Homes were devasted by floods in August 2017. Completion of the Buncrana Flood Relief Scheme isn’t expected for several years.
Mr Browne said: "we will have an announcement in the coming weeks in relation to side by side. I know how important that is for families with people living in their homes with disabilities.
"[We will also have] an announcement in the coming weeks around Elm Park as well," he said.
"I listened to people’s concerns. We’ve made significant changs to the scheme in terms of the supports that are available, bringing that flexibility into it," he said.
Launch of Letterkenny Courthouse Project
Mr Browne also launched the Revival of the Courthouse Letterkenny project, a €7 million regeneration initiative that seeks to transform the former courthouse into a community and tourism destination.
The project will see the former courthouse building, which has been vacant since 2018, brought back into active use at the heart of Letterkenny.
Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Councillor Ciaran Brogan said the investment is a demonstration and commitment for regeneration in Letterkenny.
Mr Brogan said it will create activity and increase footfall in the town and provide opportunities for tourism in both, Donegal and the wider north west region.
Once complete, the building will serve as a visitor attraction, tourism information point and a space for exhibitions, conferences, civic, cultural and community activities.
The project, funded under the THRIVE - Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, represents one of 19 capital projects in towns and cities.
