170. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed infrastructure constraints, such as water and wastewater capacity, which may be limiting housing development in Mayo; if so, the measures his Department is taking to address these constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/26]

The county development plan is required to set out a strategy for the planning and development of the plan area. An assessment of the infrastructure needed to support planned growth is a core part of the statutory plan making process. Under Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the development plans must include policies and objectives relating to the provision of infrastructure, including wastewater, transport and energy.

In Mayo, the Development Plan, together with associated local area plans, identify the infrastructure needed to support housing development.

My Department is supporting the delivery of critical housing across the country through targeted funding schemes and initiatives.

These include the establishment of the Housing Activation Office (HAO) and the introduction of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) in 2025 and 2026, alongside older schemes such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF).

The HAO is working with key stakeholders to drive the delivery of critical infrastructure required to unlock housing development. The office is developing a coordinated programme of investment across towns and cities nationwide that will align investment across utilities and transport agencies, including Uisce Éireann, to unlock housing lands and enable homes to be delivered.

Since its establishment, the HAO has engaged extensively with various stakeholders, including Mayo County Council, to identify infrastructure constraints that are impacting housing development.

On 21 January 2026, the Government launched the new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling infrastructure. The fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office.

A total of 138 applications were received from local authorities and the Land Development Agency under the first call for applications. Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme.

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

One project has been accepted onto the HIIF programme in Mayo. The project relates to the upgrade of Lodge Road in Westport with active travel, public lighting and SuDS infrastructure and has the potential to unlock lands for up to 500 homes.

The HAO will continue to work with Mayo County Council to identify infrastructure needed to unlock key housing sites in the County.