James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for the question. Significant progress has been made on establishing the housing activation office. Senior specialists from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the NTA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector are in place. In addition, senior staff from my Department with expertise in planning and project and programme management are assigned to the office. Further administrative support is in place and staff from the wider Department are continuing to support the office across corporate functions. The appointment of a head of office is also being progressed as a priority.

The office is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is co-ordinating with local authorities and infrastructural agencies to address these barriers. This includes engagement with the 31 city and county councils over a series of meetings scheduled across September and October to get an understanding of the infrastructural requirements across each area.

In the coming months, I will be bringing forward a new housing infrastructure fund with multi-year funding being made available and will provide up to €200 million next year to support direct investment in critical housing infrastructure where it can be accelerated and delivered.

I intend to convene the housing activation delivery group in the coming weeks, bringing together senior representatives from Departments and infrastructure agencies to support the work of the office. I will also convene a housing activation industry group that will provide regular engagement with the industry. I look forward to engaging with all the stakeholders through these forums and ensuring that infrastructure for housing is prioritised and accelerated.

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