Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The objective of the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas of high housing demand, adding to supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. LIHAF projects often involve complex, large-scale public infrastructure developments which pave the way for associated housing developments. This requires extensive design, planning, public consultation and procurement processes in advance of the projects moving to construction.

In respect of the Midleton Water Rock project, which includes roads and waste water infrastructure, Cork County Council has confirmed that the most economically advantageous tenderer for the infrastructure project construction works has been identified following a two-stage tender process. Pre-contract correspondence is ongoing between Cork County Council and the most economically advantageous tenderer and this process is taking longer to finalise than had been anticipated. I am, however, informed that Cork County Council and the LIHAF landowners have completed advance clearance works, which will enable commencement of the main contract works following the successful conclusion of the pre-contract discussions. I understand that every effort is being made by Cork County Council to ensure all requirements are satisfied so that the tender process can be progressed and the works commence in the coming weeks.

This is significant funding to deliver significant units in Cork. The Minister was in discussions yesterday with Deputy Stanton on this issue to try to move it along. It is a very important activation fund. This country really has to activate planning permissions and get projects on the ground. LIHAF is one key component of providing infrastructure to do so.

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