Minister Cummins announces ‘transformative’ €49.2million Housing Infrastructure Investment Funding for Waterford

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has today announced the allocation of €49,249,864 to Waterford via the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund. The funding will directly unlock the delivery of almost 3,000 homes

The Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) is a new Government fund worth €1bn over five years – aimed at speeding up housing construction, by paying for key infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity and transport links that are required to facilitate the construction of homes throughout the country.

Waterford City & County Council submitted three applications under the fund, all of which have been approved by Minister Cummins department via the Housing Activation Office. The funding is expected to unlock the delivery of thousands of homes, including at the flagship North Quays project.

The funding has been earmarked for further enabling infrastructure including podium and bridge works at the North Quays Development in Waterford City, an upgrade to stormwater facilities in Dungarvan, and funding for the delivery of road infrastructure in Gracedieu thereby unlocking a significant quantum of residentially zoned land.

Minister Cummins said: “I am delighted to announce this major investment for Waterford today which will unlocksignificant housing delivery locally.

“Three projects have been successfully approved for Waterford which will have a transformative impact in the future of this city and county.

“The impact of this investment will be far-reaching. It will support the development of housing at scale, provide greater certainty for future growth and help meet the increasing demand for homes across Waterford.

“Large areas of zoned land across the country remain undeveloped because the essential infrastructure required to support housing delivery is not yet in place. This investment fund has been established to directly address these challenges.

“I have worked extensively with the Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council Sean McKeown, the CEO of the Land Development Agency John Coleman and my Department officials to advance these projects.

“This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to increasing housing supply across Waterford in line with the National Planning Framework. It marks a major step forward for Waterford and I look forward to working with the local authority and all stakeholders to ensure these projects are delivered in a timely fashion.”

Waterford North Quays Liveability & Accelerated Housing Delivery Project

Major infrastructure works will take place at the North Quays to establish the pedestrian link bridge, public access road, Active Travel corridor and a further entrance to the new Transport Hub on the quay side.

The 8-hectare development site sits within the urban centre of Waterford and provides an

unrivalled regeneration opportunity in one of Ireland’s most important regional cities, highlighted within the National Development Plan for significant growth targets.

Ongoing infrastructural investment around the SDZ from URDF, WCCC, NTA and HIIF now exceeds €230m, with public infrastructure works due to be completed in in 2028.

This investment is due to provide significant net gains for the city and together with future investment from the LDA and Harcourt Developments, over 500 social and affordable homes are expected to be delivered on site by 2029, delivering a large portion of the Phase 1 masterplan and creating an entirely unrecognisable urban quarter in Waterford City Centre.

Minister Cummins said: “The delivery of the North Quays Development has been a priority project for me over many years and I’m pleased to have been in a position to work with the Land Development Agency, Harcourt, Waterford City & County Council and my Department officials on this submission given its regional significance.

“This is one of the biggest regeneration projects nationwide outside of Dublin and it will have a transformative impact on not just Waterford, but the wider South-East region. The North Quays is one of the biggest votes of confidence in Waterford in living memory and today’s very significant funding allocation will unlock the provision of a large quantum of homes creating a dynamic and vibrant core which will reconnect both sides of the city.”

Dungarvan Town & Environs Stormwater & Accelerated Housing Infrastructure

Funding has been allocated to upgrade the existing stormwater network servicing Dungarvan Town and environs. The existing infrastructure has reached capacity, preventing further connections to the network.

This investment will establish 1km of 1500mm and 1200mm diameter stormwater infrastructure to unlock significant zoned lands within Dungarvan and its environs. Dungarvan will alsobenefit from significant works taking place at the Ballinamuck Water Treatment Plant to upgrade capacity and improve drinking water quality and security of supply, coupled with waste water and ESB upgrades.

The directly benefitting lands comprise approximately 15.2 hectares of R1zoned lands across the catchments, with an estimated housing activation potential of up to 760 units. In addition, a further 6.7 hectares is zoned General Business and Regeneration, which also allows for residential development of up to a further 344 units. The scheme will provides the core stormwater infrastructure required to support the next phase of residential expansion in Dungarvan, establishing the servicing backbone for substantial future housing development.

Minister Cummins said: “This funding will have a huge impact on the delivery of housing in Dungarvan and West Waterford, creating the capacity needed for future growth and unlocking more opportunities for housing, business expansion and wider community development. Works are continuing at pace across multiple areas to provide the requisite infrastructure to support projected growth and demand locally. The Government strategy is focused on removing barriers, activating serviced land and equipping local authorities and builders with everything they need to construct homes at meaningful scale, and this funding is a further example of that commitment.”

Gracedieu Strategic Residential Distributor Road

The proposed Gracedieu Residential Distributor Road consists of approximately 200 meters of new Local Primary Road, along with a new roundabout to replace the existing Tjunction. This upgraded junction will provide access to lands capable of initially delivering approximately 365 dwellings.

The scheme will provide a primary distribution route, including a new roundabout at the existing Gracedieu Road / Carrickphierish Road junction, facilitating safe access and egress to this currently undeveloped area within the northwest suburbs of Waterford City. The project encompasses all enabling infrastructure required to support future residential development, including active travel measures, drainage, water supply, electrical connections, public lighting, and naturebased solutions.

Minister Cummins said: “Provision of this distributor road has been another priority for me as it will facilitate the delivery ofa significant quantum of housing in the North West Suburbs which will also unlock access to De La Salle GAA grounds at Gracedieu. Waterford is one of the fastest growing population centers and we need infrastructure delivery to match that ambition. As a government, we are doing our utmost to ensurebarriers to delivery are being removed. This targeted investment will allow communities like Gracedieu and Carrickphierish to unlock their full potential.”