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For Oral Answer on : 05/05/2022
Question Number(s): 61 Question Reference(s): 22096/22
Department: Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 3 March 2022, when he expects the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) works to begin on the Midleton Water Rock LIHAF project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas of high housing demand, adding to supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices.
LIHAF projects often involve complex, large scale public infrastructure developments which pave the way for associated housing development. This requires extensive design, planning, public consultation and procurement processes in advance of the projects moving to construction.
In respect of the Midleton Water Rock project, which includes roads and waste water infrastructure, Cork County Council has confirmed that the most economically advantageous tenderer for the infrastructure project construction works has been identified following a two-stage tender process. Pre-contract correspondence is ongoing between Cork County Council and the most economically advantageous tenderer and this process is taking longer to finalise than had been anticipated.
I am, however, informed that Cork County Council and the LIHAF landowners have completed “Advance Clearance Works” which will enable commencement of the main contract works following the successful conclusion of the pre-contract discussions. I understand that every effort continues to be made by Cork County Council to ensure all requirements are satisfied so that the tender process can be progressed and the works commence in the coming weeks.