A Donegal County Councillor has called for cross-party support during discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on access to building houses on the N56.
The current National Policy restricts the one-off building of homes accessing the N56 National Secondary road which stretches from Donegal Town clockwise to Letterkenny, passing through areas including Mountcharles, Ardara, Glenties, Dungloe, Falcarragh, Dunfanaghy, Creeslough and Kilmacrennan.
Councillor Michael McClafferty says that families are “frustrated and heartbroken” over the impact that the restrictions are having on young people’s futures, adding that people have emigrated from their home communities over the lack of options.
He said: “At present, many young people—whether living locally or wishing to return home—are unable to secure permission to build on family farmland or other available sites due to this blanket rule. It is unfair to deny individuals the opportunity to build and settle in their own communities in 2025. I urge the Government and relevant authorities to intervene and convince TII that such a policy is unsuitable for rural Ireland—not only in Donegal, but in many counties nationwide.
Parents tell me that if their children could build, they would stay—but they cannot access social housing, nor can they find affordable rental options. Rents have risen to €1,200–€1,500 per month, even in areas like Letterkenny, with students facing prices comparable to Dublin or Belfast. For many, these costs are unsustainable.
“Without access to affordable housing, we risk losing the very people we need to sustain essential services—our hospitals, nursing homes, schools, Gardaí, hospitality, and retail sectors all depend on a local workforce. If we fail to provide housing, our communities will inevitably suffer.”
Cllr McClafferty has called on Donegal’s Oireachtas representatives to speak up against the “serious challenge” posed by the policy.
He said: “While I acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of TDs Pat the Cope Gallagher, Pearse Doherty, and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, whose advocacy has not gone unnoticed, I hope Charles Ward and our Senators will also join the ongoing discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to reverse this restrictive policy.
Cllr McClafferty added: “It is vital that we stand up for the future of our communities and ensure planning policies support, rather than obstruct, local families seeking to build and remain in their home areas.”
