Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
144. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration has been given to the genuine affordability of homes being delivered under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, particularly in rural areas such as County Galway; the measures being taken to ensure these homes match local income brackets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 January 2026, the Government launched the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling public infrastructure.
The Fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A total of 138 applications were received in response to the first call for applications under this new fund from 30 Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency.
Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme under Call 1.
A full list of projects accepted to the HIIF programme can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9d47d273/Housing_Infrastructure_Investment_Fund_Call_1_-_List_of_Projects.pdf.
Of the 82 projects accepted onto the HIIF programme, six are located in County Galway, in the settlements of Athenry, Baile Chlair, Bearna, Gort and Tuam. These projects have the potential to unlock approximately 4,000 homes.
The Housing Activation Office is focused on the delivery of the 82 infrastructure projects, which will unlock housing lands and accelerate the delivery of much needed housing in towns and cities nationwide. By addressing infrastructure barriers, the Fund is supporting an increase in overall housing supply.
The lands supported by HIIF will deliver a mix of tenures including private, social and / or affordable housing. Importantly, on private lands there is a statutory requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act that a minimum of 20% of residential development be provided for social and / or affordable housing. On lands owned by the Land Development Agency or local authorities, a higher proportion of social and affordable housing will be delivered. In addition to this, the affordable housing schemes operated by my Department, can also be applied alongside the HIIF funding. These measures are designed to ensure that a meaningful proportion of homes delivered, including in rural counties such as Galway, are accessible to households across a range of income levels.
My Department will continue to work closely with all Local Authorities, including Galway County Council, and infrastructure providers to ensure that investment is aligned with housing need, and that the delivery of new homes supported by these schemes contributes to increasing supply while also supporting affordability objectives.
