14. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when funding will be released for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35898/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

When will €5 million of funding be released for infrastructure at the Mungret site in Limerick? This is a partnership between Limerick City and County Council and the Land Development Agency, LDA. Essentially, it is funding for a plaza and a link road to allow them to proceed to tender and construction for 250-plus homes.

Sentiment score: 0.08

From the substance of the Minister's reply, it sounds like this funding is being delayed until the new infrastructure fund is active. Is there a way he can frontload the delivery of the infrastructure fund to release the funding? As far as I understand, there was a proposal from the LDA that the €5 million shortfall would be added to the purchase price of the affordable homes, which is totally unacceptable. Through the framework, there is potential to deliver 1,950 homes in Mungret. From talking to the local authority, as far as I understand, a funding ask has been with the Department, the Department of public expenditure, and it has even been sent to the Department of the Taoiseach, since March. I sincerely urge the Minister to clarify whether this has been delayed until the infrastructure fund is up and running or to release the funding soon.

Sentiment score: 0.06

I thank the Minister. From my point of view and that of the local authority, this entire project is essentially being held up because of €5 million, which is a very small sum of money in the grand scale of things. This project has been in planning since last year and was first announced in May 2024. We have had the highest percentage increase in house prices in Limerick in the past year because we have such a shortage of housing. From the Minister's response, it sounds like the release of the €5 million will be delayed until after the review of the NDP. Will he confirm whether the funding will be released soon or if it will be deferred until the NDP review is published?

Sentiment score: 0.18