Minister approves €27 million for new rail-linked homes

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD has authorised a €27 million allocation from the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support the construction of three new train stations in Cork and Kildare. These stations, located at Blarney and Water Rock in Cork and Maynooth West in Kildare, are intended to enhance public transport connectivity and expedite the development of more than 12,000 homes adjacent to these sites.

This funding seeks to eliminate infrastructure obstacles that have traditionally hindered housing growth, enabling significant residential expansion in designated growth areas. The accelerated delivery of these rail projects will provide certainty to developers and encourage the timely completion of housing in well-connected, sustainable communities.

Minister Browne emphasised the critical role of strategic infrastructure in facilitating housing: "This investment will create the conditions necessary for over 12,000 homes to be built in locations served by high-quality public transport. The Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund is overcoming past delays caused by bureaucracy, ensuring that essential infrastructure is delivered alongside housing development." Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD highlighted the broader benefits, noting the contribution to sustainable housing and transport decarbonisation. Construction of the new stations is expected to commence between late 2027 and 2028, with completions projected by 2029, significantly advancing previous timelines.

The HIIF forms part of the Government's €1 billion commitment to unlock housing sites nationwide, managed by the Housing Activation Office. Earlier this year, 82 infrastructure projects received funding, marking a coordinated effort to accelerate home building across Ireland.