Minister Canney welcomes Galway projects that could unlock more than 17,000 homes under €862 million Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the inclusion of a number of major Galway projects in the first round of the Government’s new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF), describing them as critical investments that will help unlock thousands of new homes across Galway city and county.
The projects form part of a national programme of 82 infrastructure projects with an estimated value of approximately €862 million, approved under the first call of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Nationally, the projects have the potential to directly unlock approximately 86,000 homes and indirectly support a further 113,000 homes through wider infrastructure benefits.
Across Galway, the projects announced today have the potential to directly and indirectly unlock more than 17,000 homes, helping to address housing demand while supporting sustainable growth in towns, villages and urban centres throughout the county and city.
Galway County Council Projects
Sun Street, Tuam (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
The proposed signalised junction and pedestrian crossing project will directly unlock lands capable of delivering approximately 400 homes.
Athenry Northern Relief Road (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
The construction of a new link road and bridge crossing will directly unlock lands for approximately 800 residential units.
Raheen Road Foul and Storm Sewer Network, Footpath and Road Reinstatement, Athenry (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
This project will provide essential foul and storm water infrastructure together with pedestrian improvements and will directly unlock lands for a further 800 homes.
George Street, Gort (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
A junction upgrade at George Street will directly unlock lands for 234 homes while indirectly facilitating a further 525 homes through wider infrastructure benefits.
Claregalway Junction Upgrade (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
A new junction at Claregalway will directly unlock lands capable of delivering approximately 600 homes.
Bearna Bypass (Indicative Cost: More than €20 million)
The Bearna Bypass will provide critical transport infrastructure to support the continued growth of Bearna and the wider Galway metropolitan area. The project has the potential to directly unlock approximately 800 homes, while also improving connectivity and creating capacity for future residential development.
Galway City Council and Land Development Agency Projects
Ardaun (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
Infrastructure works at Ardaun will directly unlock approximately 2,500 homes and indirectly facilitate a further 5,000 homes, making it one of the most significant housing activation projects in the country.
Castlegar (Indicative Cost: €10 million – €20 million)
Road improvements, new junctions and the undergrounding of overhead electricity infrastructure will directly unlock lands for 578 homes and indirectly support a further 550 homes.
Sandy Road Realignment (Indicative Cost: Less than €10 million)
The Sandy Road Realignment project will directly unlock lands for 550 homes and indirectly facilitate a further 3,699 homes through the wider regeneration of the area.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Canney said: “Housing remains one of the biggest challenges facing our country and one of the biggest barriers to delivery is ensuring the infrastructure needed to support new homes is in place at the right time.
“Today’s announcement is about removing those barriers. These projects will provide the roads, junctions, drainage and utility infrastructure needed to unlock housing opportunities across Galway and allow communities to grow in a planned and sustainable way.
“Importantly, these projects will work alongside major investment already planned by Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks and other infrastructure providers to ensure that housing, water, energy and transport infrastructure are developed in a coordinated way.”
Minister Canney added: “The Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund is about removing barriers, unlocking potential and ensuring that suitable lands are ready to deliver homes. That is exactly what these Galway projects will achieve.”