Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2024
184. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund applications were received for Laois and Offaly since its inception; how many were approved; how many were not approved; the status of all approved applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40691/24]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works as well as public amenities (parks).
In July 2016, the Department invited relevant infrastructure project proposals from local authorities, and received over 70 applications.
A LIHAF Advisory Group was established to undertake an evaluation and assessment of LIHAF applications. This Advisory Group was drawn from a number of areas within the Department including planning, quantity surveying and housing delivery experts. A LIHAF Management Committee was established to make recommendations to the Minister, on projects that met the criteria for LIHAF funding and which could be given approval in principle, taking account of the detailed evaluation and assessments undertaken by the LIHAF Advisory Group.
All proposals were assessed in line with the criteria set out in the Call for Proposals and ultimately 30 projects were approved for LIHAF grant funding in 2017. Laois County Council did not submit any applications and Offaly County Council submitted a single application for an access road at Chancery Lane, Tullamore. The application made by Offaly County Council was not successful.
It should be noted that the LIHAF scheme closed in 2017.
