Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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1139. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the duties he intends to delegate to the strategic housing activation office within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45012/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government agreed on 29th April, to establish a new Housing Activation Office in the Department of Housing.  

The HAO will seek to address infrastructure barriers that are affecting housing development on zoned lands, by engaging with key stakeholders, coordinating cross-agency collaboration, and supporting the development of a pipeline of housing enabling infrastructure projects. 

The Office will manage a new Infrastructure Investment Fund under the National Development Plan to support direct investment in infrastructure needed at a local level to unblock housing development.  This Fund will complement investment by agencies such as Uisce Éireann and ESBN, who have also received funding under the National Development Plan, as part of a more coordinated approach to infrastructure delivery.

The Office will have an initial operating period of 3 years, with a formal review of the Office at the end of year 2.

Responsibilities of individual staff and secondees in the HAO will vary depending on expertise, but will be in line with the Terms of Reference, which is available at the following link - assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Housing_Activation_Office_Terms_of_Reference_-_29th_April_2025.pdf .