Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
750. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a project (details supplied) in County Kildare is being considered for LIHAF funding in view of the benefits it would have for Kildare town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32235/18]
View answerThe aim of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is to increase housing supply through enabling infrastructure such as roads, bridges and parks.
Kildare County Council submitted seven projects for consideration under LIHAF. Funding was approved for three projects at Sallins, Naas and Maynooth with a total cost of over €21.4 million. However, given the finite resources available under the Fund, the project submitted in relation to an inner relief road in Kildare could not be funded at that time.
However, it is now the case that significantly increased funding will be available for enabling infrastructure projects through the new €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the €1bn Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), announced under Project Ireland 2040. Local authorities will also be able to apply to the new Serviced Sites Fund which will support delivery of both off- and on-site infrastructure which can unlock local authority owned lands in order to deliver affordable homes.
Given the cross-over between these funds, I have reviewed whether it is necessary to have a further call specifically under LIHAF, and I have concluded, in consultation with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, that it would be unnecessary duplication to have separate calls under separate funds for the same types of projects. In addition, I want to give further support to local authorities to bring forward publicly owned sites to provide affordable housing through the new Serviced Sites Fund, under which I have invited applications from the relevant local authorities, including Kildare County Council.
A call for proposals for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund was issued on 3 July by my Department. The application period for this first call will run until 12 noon on 28 September 2018 and the Fund will operate on a competitive, bid-based Exchequer grant basis. Detailed information on the URDF and the application process are available at www.gov.ie/urdf and www.npf.ie.
The Department of Rural and Community Development opened the call for proposals under the RRDF on 4 July, with the application period under this Fund running until 12 noon on 27 September. More information on the RRDF is available at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-regeneration-development-fund/.
