Local Authorities

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Ceisteanna (118)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding moneys approved by his Department to LIHAF or other instruments to deal with urgently required infrastructures such as roads, bridges and traffic realignments in Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent to which works have commenced or have been completed or remain outstanding; the level of expenditure to date; the extent of progress on the works involved; the extent of works still outstanding; the costs associated therewith; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8812/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. Its objective is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages to housing delivery. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF was designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.

In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. One such project is at Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Kildare County Council were approved grant funding for the construction of the Maynooth Eastern Relief Road (MERR) and a bridge crossing a railway and the Royal Canal. The total approved grant funding for this project is €14.5m with €10.88m (75%) being funded by my Department and the remaining 25% being funded by Kildare County Council. To date, Kildare County Council have drawn down €770,000 in exchequer funding for project costs associated with this LIHAF project.

I understand that detailed design of the MERR is at an advanced stage and developers are currently engaged in the planning process for the delivery of housing units on LIHAF lands. Kildare County Council are liaising with a diverse number of stakeholders including my Department to advance the MERR project.