Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
613. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expected draw down of LIHAF funds in 2017; the expected carryover of unspent LIHAF funds from 2017 to 2018; the LIHAF allocation for 2018 including carryover; and the way in which the €50 million announced for the second LIHAF call related to the initial announcement of the €226 million LIHAF announced in 2016. [43839/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total cost of the 34 projects approved under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is €226 million, of which 75% (€169.5 million) will be funded by my Department, with local authorities funding their 25% share (€56.5 million).
This funding is ring-fenced within the overall housing budget and will be available for local authorities to drawdown over the lifetime of the projects. The total allocation for 2017 is €50m but given that most projects are at design phase there will be an underspend on LIHAF this year. However, any underspends in one year will be made good in future years and, through proactive management of the broader housing programme, any such underspends can be applied to other housing activities in the year in question, ensuring that the funding available in any given year is fully applied.
The first drawdown for LIHAF projects is likely to occur in late November and actual drawdown figures will be available by the end of the year. The allocation under LIHAF for 2018 is €60 million.
The €50m, as announced as part of Budget 2018, is additional funding which will separately be available for a second call under LIHAF and will again be subject to matching funding at 25% by Local Authorities. This will allow us to build more infrastructure to unlock further sites and activate more housing supply. A further call for proposals under LIHAF is likely early in 2018.
