Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2740. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the next round of funding under the local infrastructure housing activation fund will be announced; and if all councils have been communicated with to seek their priorities. [34547/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund was designed to activate housing supply by putting in place the enabling public infrastructure necessary to ensure that large scale development could take place on key sites in urban areas of high housing demand. Final approval was given for 30 projects under LIHAF in 2017 and these projects will stimulate development of approximately 20,000 housing units across 14 local authorities.
Additional funding of €50 million over the period to 2020 was announced in Budget 2018 for a second call for proposals under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund. 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 and the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, 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 the funds that had been allocated for the second call under LIHAF should be transferred to the new Serviced Sites Fund to increase the Exchequer funding available under the Fund from €25 million to €75 million over the period 2018 to 2021. This funding will help to speed up the development of affordable housing from publicly-owned sites.
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 can be found at www.gov.ie/urdf and www.npf.ie.
