333. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has taken place on the additional infrastructure required for the population within a site in Dublin south-west inner city with several large residential construction projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33600/26]

334. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that will be taken to address the additional needs for infrastructure for large residential construction projects in Dublin south west inner city (details supplied), for example water, waste and power capacity; addition of primary and secondary school places; provision of additional primary healthcare; the transportation network, such as the provision of infrastructure such as additional buses/bus routes, to accommodate the expansion of public transport services into the area for future residents. [33601/26]

346. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has taken place on the additional infrastructure required for the population within a 27 acre site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/26]

347. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that will be taken to address the additional needs for infrastructure, such as water, waste and power capacity; the addition of primary and secondary school places; the provision of additional primary healthcare; and the transportation network, for example any provision of infrastructure such as additional buses/bus routes, to accommodate the expansion of public transport services into the area for future residents (details supplied). [33891/26]

I propose to take Question Nos 333, 334, 346 and 347 together.

Planning for the provision of infrastructure, amenities and services is a core element of the statutory plan-making process and is key to promoting the development of sustainable communities. The local authority development plan is the principal planning strategy document which sets out the relevant policies and objectives to guide the development of the area over a six-year period, including both urban and rural areas.

It is through the development plan, that planning authorities set out relevant objectives, policy support and development management standards for development, as well as identifying suitable locations for specific forms of development. The power to make a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority.

Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (under which all existing development plans were prepared) required planning authorities to include objectives in their development plan for the provision of infrastructure, and the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population.

All future development plans will be made under Part 3, Chapter 5 (Development Plans) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was commenced on 31 December 2025. Sections 44 to 51 of the Act of 2024 require planning authorities to include various strategies and objectives in their development plans including in relation to the sustainable use of land, integrated transport, infrastructure, and the amenities, facilities and services required meet the social, recreational and cultural needs of the community.

Pursuant to section 48 of the 2000 Act, a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála may attach a condition to a grant of planning permission requiring the payment of a contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities that it is intended will be provided, by or on behalf of a local authority. This may include for open spaces, and recreational and community facilities or other forms of public infrastructure. The basis for such contributions is set out in a development contribution scheme as adopted by the elected members.

Local authorities are independent statutory bodies with democratically elected councils and their own management system. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.

Further to a Government agreement in April 2025, I established the Housing Activation Office (HAO) in my Department to accelerate the delivery of public infrastructure needed to enable housing development. The office works with stakeholders across Government Departments, local authorities, infrastructure agencies and industry to identify and resolve infrastructure constraints that are delaying housing delivery.

I also convened the inaugural meetings of the high-level Housing Activation Delivery Group and the Housing Activation Industry Group on 6 November 2025. The Delivery Group brings together senior leaders from Government Departments and infrastructure agencies to coordinate broader investment in physical and social infrastructure, while the Industry Group provides a forum for regular engagement with industry stakeholders. Both groups have met twice since November 2025 and will continue to meet on a quarterly basis to strengthen coordination and maintain momentum across infrastructure and housing delivery.

The Government also announced a new multiannual €1 Billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) on 21 January 2026 to support direct investment in housing enabling infrastructure. The fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in my Department. The core objective of the HIIF is to unblock infrastructure constraints and activate lands already identified for housing under development plans. By investing directly in transport, water, electricity and other enabling infrastructure, the fund will ensure that land is properly serviced and ready to deliver homes.

Call 1 of the HIIF opened for applications from local authorities and the Land development Agency (LDA) on 21 January 2026 and closed on Friday 27 February 2026. Applications have been received from local authorities across the country and from the LDA. Applications under the first call of the HIIF, are currently under assessment by the Housing Activation office. Funding decisions will be made shortly in line with the scheme’s governance arrangements.