Laois Principal Welcomes New Rural Housing Rules
By Staff reporter · Midlands 103 · 7 July 2026
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New guidelines for one-off rural and Gaeltacht housing are coming into effect.
A Laois primary school principal says many people are drawn to living in their home communities.
This comes as new Gaeltacht and rural one-off housing measures are being introduced.
Under the new guidelines, homeowners can build a second one-off house on family land to facilitate downsizing, with simpler planning rules and less red tape.
Local authorities would also be required to simplify their own planning guidelines.
Eamon Jackman, Principal of Heywood Community School in Ballinakill, says staying close to family is invaluable:
Reporting by Staff reporter for Midlands 103, funded by the News Reporting Scheme. Republished by News Room under the scheme’s reuse permission.
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