Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1596. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason the proposed Naas inner relief road satisfies the objectives of the LIHAF fund from which it is receiving funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra1597. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the width of the proposed roadway on the Naas inner relief road route 2 in view of the fact that construction of roads of this nature can encourage high speeds; his further views on the impact of sound proofing walls proposed to be erected adjacent to residential homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1596 and 1597 together.
The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is designed to activate housing supply by putting in place the enabling public infrastructure necessary to ensure that large scale development takes place on key sites in urban areas of high housing demand.
Projects were submitted by local authorities and were allocated grant funding based on their performance in a competitive scoring matrix. Final approval was given for 30 projects under LIHAF in 2017. It is anticipated that these projects will stimulate development of approximately 20,000 homes across 14 local authority areas. Kildare County Council submitted a number of projects for funding and three of those received final approval, including the project in Naas referred to.
The construction of the Naas inner relief road will facilitate the delivery of approximately 800 homes, including 142 social housing homes on associated sites. This includes a local authority site where Kildare County Council will provide more than 70 social housing homes through a public private partnership arrangement. 123 of these homes had been delivered up to the end of 2018.
Management and delivery of LIHAF projects is a matter for each individual local authority. However, I am advised by Kildare County Council that the proposed road complies with the standards contained in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and that it will have a speed limit of 50kph. In addition, it will have two traffic signal controlled junctions, cycle lanes and footpaths.
I look forward to the successful provision of this enabling infrastructure by Kildare County Council, supported by LIHAF funding, and the provision of much needed housing in the Naas area.
