Longford Westmeath Deputy Peter Burke says he's determined that once-off rural housing will continue to be a key point, and policy platform for the present government.
The Junior Housing Minister says that he'll defend the right of people to build on their land, or in their local areas, if they have close ties there.
The Fine Gael TD was speaking as his fellow Junior Minister and Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan says he sees a "diminishing role" for one-off housing over time.
Peter Burke says he wants to erase the idea that rural housing is somehow being phased out, and says that it has accounted for 25% of housing output in recent years.
He says he also found an 80% success rate in applications for once-off housing around the country in recent years.
The Fine Gael TD says while he's not advocating a black cheque for rural housing, he does see it as a vital part of housing development now and in the future:
