4. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will outline the specific reforms under consideration following his Department’s review of barriers to infrastructure delivery; if these reforms will include changes to procurement processes, planning timelines, or interagency co-ordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40188/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Inniu, tá mé ag iarraidh labhairt leis an Aire faoi digital reform. Will the Minister outline the specific reforms under consideration following the Department's review of the barriers for infrastructure delivery, and will these reforms include changes to procurement processes, planning timelines or interagency co-ordination?

Sentiment score: 0.00

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Is deas é sin a chloisteáil. I am delighted to see that, this week, the Government announced the private wires policy. This was something we discussed during the formation of the Government and I am delighted to see the Minister is supporting it, too. I appreciate the response from him and I look forward to him finishing his contribution, but I heard Deputy McCarthy talk about flood defence. I hope the Minister of State will not forget north Dublin's flood defences as well.

Sentiment score: 0.28

The Minister of State visited the site and the residents are really thankful. While I am following up, the consequences of the poor co-ordination of infrastructure in Clongriffin and Belmayne in my constituency are being felt every day by residents. It is an extremely densely populated area, but there are no community facilities, including no library, no primary healthcare and an undersupply of school places. A submission has been made by Dublin City Council and I hope it will be looked at by the Minister. I was recently at a meeting with the Land Development Agency, LDA, and the residents groups, and the communication had nothing about how the deficit would be addressed. I really hope the Minister will bring in these reforms and we will see visible change in north Dublin.

Sentiment score: -0.02

I thank the Minister for his response. I urge his Department to take a more active role in identifying and responding to the key areas and needs left in Clongriffin, Belmayne and all of north Dublin in my constituency. This community has 15,000 people, with more moving in each year. The area does not even have a supermarket; people have to leave. The area has one of the highest rates of car ownership in Ireland. A recent study has shown that. This is because people do not have the ability to do otherwise. Infrastructure is something they really need. I note the recent announcement by Dublin City Council in relation to the L-shaped land development in Belmayne. Clongriffin also needs infrastructure. In the meeting I was at last week, LDA officials were very informative, but they need support from the Minister's Department, so I ask him for it. We need joined-up planning that includes not just bricks and mortar, but the services and amenities that turn housing into real, sustainable communities. They deserve no less.

Sentiment score: 0.06