The Government is being called to stop the development of one-off housing, which is forcing families to move to towns and villages instead of more rural locations.

Fianna Fáil Sligo Councillor Jerry Lundy has accused the Government of presiding over another anti-rural policy in relation to the housing strategy.

Cllr Lundy has described it as yet another attack on rural Ireland.

He said: "An Taisce has consistently pursued housing policies that essentially dismantle rural living across the North West by forcing migration to towns and villages. The State agency's goal of preserving the rural countryside cannot be at the expense of rural living.

-- Advertisement --

"Essentially the organisation's policies will make it more difficult for children to settle in the same rural areas as their parents. It discourages rural dwelling away from towns and cities. It flies in the face of the agency's mandate which is to preserve and promote all aspects of our national heritage, including rural life. The agency cannot be allowed to undermine rural communities in order to achieve its goal.

"This is yet another attack on rural Ireland, which has been far down the list priorities for this Government. Rural communities across the North West that have seen local services cut to the bone, jobs lost and local businesses forced to shut down, cuts to local amenities and threats of more cuts to come, are struggling to see any benefit of green shoots in the economy."

(CD/MH)