Senator Nicole Ryan highlights the shrinking number of daily Irish speakers in Gaeltacht regions, dropping from 69% in 2011 to 66% in 2022. She attributes this decline to restrictive planning laws hindering housing development and forcing people to leave their communities.
The Senator emphasizes that rigid planning regulations make it difficult for locals to build on their land, leading to housing shortages and high rents. This, coupled with difficulties for those from outside the area to move in, pushes young people and families away from Gaeltacht regions.
While Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan acknowledges the need for a tailored approach to Gaeltacht housing and confirms that new planning guidelines are in development, the guidelines promised in 2021 remain unpublished. The Minister also mentions the consideration of a language test for new residents in Gaeltacht areas.