Peter Triest Housing Association welcomes announcement of relaxed regulations for one-off builds

By Dan Maher

Housing Minister James Browne has committed to relaxing rules around building one-off homes in rural areas.

John Joe Higgins, director of Peter Triest Housing Association, has described the development as something that “should make a big difference”.

While speaking to national media last week, Minister Browne said “I want to bring consistency into it, to give people much greater freedom to live in their own local community. In a lot of areas that has become impossible”.

Minister Browne has confirmed that these regulations will be eased by summer 2026.

Mr Higgins and his association provide housing for those with disabilities, working closely with the Brothers of Charity Services.

Mr Higgins said that the existing process for project development is very slow.

“The process that we have for developing a project is fairly slow as there’s four stages to it. The other thing is that you need money upfront or a loan, because you won’t get the grant until you’ve bought the house.”

With over 8,400 men, women and children receiving support from the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland in 2020, he has highlighted the importance of specified housing to meet their needs.

“The number of young adults coming forward with intellectual disabilities and with autism is very challenging so we need to design it in a way that some of those living in the house can have their own private space.We find that where people have good quality housing to meet their specific needs, that the level of aggression, anxiety and problems they have will decrease.”