Rural Ireland has a plan to 2031, Tuam should hold it to its word

PROPERTY

Property Insights by Johnny Gannon, Fair Deal Property

The Government’s Our Rural Future 2026–2031 promises something rural Ireland urgently needs: housing that actually gets built. Its 34 commitments and 234 initial measures, due by the end of 2028, offer real potential for Tuam and North Galway.

Three priorities deserve our attention.

First, serviced sites. The Ready to Build Scheme which provides for discounts on sites of up to €30,000 is set to expand, making discounted sites available for people building their own homes. Councils are also expected to provide land for affordable, self-build and social housing. Delivered properly in Tuam, Dunmore, Headford and Milltown, this could help local families stay local. Without water, wastewater connections and timely delivery, however, a site is just a field.

Second, vacant buildings. Grants of up to €50,000 for vacant homes and €70,000 for derelict properties remain vital. Support can reach €140,000 for converting empty space above shops. Look along Shop Street and High Street: unused upper floors could become homes, revive footfall and strengthen local businesses. The opportunity is visible. The question is how quickly owners can navigate approvals and bring buildings back into use.

Third, rural planning. A draft national planning statement proposes a significant rethink of one-off housing, including broader recognition of economic ties to rural areas. Teachers, nurses and rural business owners should have a fairer opportunity to build where their lives and livelihoods are rooted. Appropriate development still needs sound planning, but local people should not face needless barriers.

Here is the catch. An OECD review warned that rural investment does not automatically translate into delivered homes. Councils need sufficient staff, reliable data and infrastructure. It also identified 547 villages without public wastewater treatment. Ambition cannot substitute for sewerage capacity.

Tuam has advantages: the M17, the prospect of the Western Rail Corridor, a strong community and a town centre with room for more residents. Yet opportunity means little without serviced land, practical planning decisions and refurbishment grants processed at pace.

The public deserves published targets, clear deadlines and honest progress reports.

By 2031, we should be asking Galway County Council straightforward questions. How many serviced plots were released? How many empty buildings became homes? How long did applications take? And how many young families were able to remain in North Galway?

That is the real test of Our Rural Future: not the launch, not the headlines, but keys in doors.

For more, visit www.fairdealproperty.ie or call 093-59014.