Rules for building one-off rural homes will be relaxed by summer, says Housing Minister James BrowneNew guidelines will be ‘mandatory’ for all local authorities in bid to preserve country communitiesHousing Minister James Browne prepares to go to Cannes for institutional investment roadshowCónal Thomas Today at 06:30A major policy shake-up to allow more people to build homes on their own land will be brought forward by the summer in a bid to boost the number of homes in rural areas, the Housing Minister has confirmed.

Source: Irish Independent March 08, 2026 16:10 UTC