Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
87. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the full details of the affordability measures put in place in Cherrywood developments in return for the LIHAF funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/23]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works as well as public amenities (parks). Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In late 2017/early 2018, Grant Agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities.
One such project is at Cherrywood in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The infrastructure was to be provided in 3 phases and includes the Druids Glen Road, Druids Glen bridge, New N11 junction at ‘Q’ at Druids Glen Road and the Druids Glen bridge feature. The LIHAF Grant Funding agreed was for almost €15.2m with my Department funding 75% and the balance to be funded by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
This LIHAF funding has an associated housing provision requirement for the delivery of 2,000 units at Cherrywood. The agreement was intended to facilitate circa. 5% provision of affordable housing on the site in addition to the 10% Part V social housing over the build out of the site with the reduction in price to facilitate the affordable delivery being equal to the value of the funding under LIHAF.
Under the LIHAF scheme, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, like other local authorities, avail of funding to procure the relevant infrastructure. Without LIHAF funding the benefiting developers would have to pay additional development contributions to deliver the infrastructure and, therefore, agreed a LIHAF affordability dividend equivalent to the investment.
