"I believe if we can solve the housing crisis in Dublin, we solve the housing crisis for the entire country.”

These were the words of Minister for Housing James Browne speaking on RTÉ This Week last Sunday.

During the interview, much was discussed between the minister and Justin McCarthy including apartment building in Dublin, planning objections – mostly in relation to apartments – and meeting targets. There was however, not one mention of rural housing.

In fact, since James Browne took on the position, there has been very little reference made to housing in rural areas, apart from an announcement to speed up drawdowns of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

Yes, he is only eight weeks in the job.

At the same time, Jacqueline Hogge has been running an eight-week series in Irish Country Living on building a home in rural Ireland, highlighting the issues that people are experiencing on the ground.

Refused planning

In Wicklow, Dolores and Brendan Kennedy* decided to downsize, choosing to sell their large farmhouse to a local family with the intent to build a more suitable smaller home for themselves.

However, despite farming the land for years, they were refused planning, and are currently without a home of their own.

In Galway, Martin Linnane has been refused planning to build a family home on his 72ac holding at Inishroo due to road safety – despite the fact that the proposed entrance has been used by his family for years. He now lives 15km from his farm, and livestock have died as he hasn’t been near enough during calving season.

We spoke to Martha* in Roundstone who was refused planning for a small house on her family farm on the basis that she wasn’t intrinsic to the local community – despite living there her whole life.

Many of those who want to build their home in rural Ireland are not looking for financial help – they aren’t seeking social housing or even affordable housing.

Requested unanswered

Many have the means to build their own homes, to meet their own housing need.

The big barrier standing in their way is red tape.

As we have told these stories week after week, our requests for an interview have been sitting with the Minister for Housing, to give clarity to our readers regarding the next steps for rural housing. Eight requests were made – they all went unanswered.

Last week, Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development launched the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland.

He said: “Rural development continues to be a key priority for the Government and we will continue to support the revitalisation and resilience of rural Ireland, transforming our towns and villages – creating better places to live, work and participate in their local community.”

Sounds lovely, but how can that be achieved when people are being driven out of their local area, their county or even their country because their housing needs aren’t being met? We want a vibrant rural Ireland but how can that be achieved if people aren’t living there?

This is the end of our series on building a home in rural Ireland but it’s not the end of us talking about it. We will continue to highlight the needs of our readers and we hope, discuss advancements at Government level.

*Names changed by request.