Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the Government to invest in infrastructure to improve local services, and facilitate the delivery of new housing units
This can be achieved under the €200m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund. Deputy O’Rourke renewed his call after meeting with Department of Housing officials this week again.
‘The relatively low capital investment programme that the Government announced in the Budget is disappointing. Given the low cost of capital with nearly negative interest rates, the Government has been given a unique opportunity to address some of the infrastructural deficits that are evident in places like Kildare.’
‘As I said in the Dail, examples of such infrastructural requirements in my own constituency include; the construction of a new bridge in Celbridge and Leixlip, a ring road for Maynooth and for Clane, Park and Ride facility for Maynooth, Clane and Kilcock commuters and Broadband access for parts of North West Kildare. Indeed, former Secretary General in the Department of Finance, John Moran, in recent weeks has written articles on the importance of preparing for future growth in population by investing in infrastructure.’
‘All of these project types, have the potential to improve our competitiveness and open up areas for further residential and commercial development. We must learn from the mistakes of the past. We must provide adequate infrastructure in line with development rather than trying to retro fit the infrastructure subsequent to the development, as happened in the past.’
‘Earlier this year, the Government sought proposals from local authorities, under the €200m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, to address some of these challenges. I know from having met with Kildare County Council that it has put forward comprehensive proposals to the Department and I am pressing again on the Government to provide financial resources to Kildare County Council.’
‘I will continue to highlight the importance of providing this infrastructure, as I did at my meeting this week with Department officials, to ensure that we secure additional housing units for the many that need them. The European Investment Bank have now opened an office in Dublin which should assist us in securing finance. Having more housing units available will enable people to buy their own homes and reduce rents; a contributing cost to the rising cost of living for many in my constituency,’ concluded Deputy O’Rourke.