Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government agrees that the delivery of housing and the delivery of infrastructure have to go hand in hand and creating sustainable communities requires investment, not only in homes, but as the Deputy said, in the transport, energy, water and community infrastructure that supports them. As he also noted, significant investment is already under way in Swords, whether it is the R132 connectivity project, the Balheary Road wastewater upgrade or the Fosterstown link road proposal under the housing infrastructure investment fund. I think that the Deputy accepts that all of those are helping or will help to address key infrastructure requirements while supporting future housing delivery. This demonstrates the value of co-ordinated planning, but in the context in which the Deputy has raised this, all I can say is that the housing activation office will continue to work closely with Fingal County Council, Uisce Éireann, the National Transport Authority, ESB Networks and other stakeholders to identify and address infrastructural constraints and to ensure that investment is aligned with housing growth. I suggest that this is how some of these concerns might be addressed, through co-ordination with a number of these organisations that are working to do this. I have no detail here or expertise, but to me that might be the only possible solution that is there. I can hear the Deputy's frustration and from what he says, I know that some action needs to be taken.

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