Cavan and Monaghan approved for multi-million euro housing infrastructure investment

Cavan and Monaghan have been approved for four housing infrastructure projects which upon completion, are expected to unlock lands with the potential for over 4000 residential units between both counties.

The projects will deliver upgraded infrastructure unlocking the potential for further housing developments.

The two projects in Cavan, which will see upgrades to the Station Road and the Drumlark Northern Distributor Road,  unlocks the potential for an additional 2,820 residential units, and comes with an expected cost of €6.85 million.

It will also see improvements to roads and footpaths, upgrading of Uisce Éireann's network and further investment in Cavan Waste Water Treatment Plant, among other works.

In Monaghan, projects with an indicative cost of €20-30 million have been approved for Rooskey Lands Access Road and also the Monaghan Town Southern Access Road.

Works within the two projects are expected to make way for a potential for 1,445 residential units.

These projects have been approved under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund by Minister for Housing James Browne TD this afternoon.

Deputy Brendan Smith said infrastructure upgrades in Cavan includes road improvements, footpaths, road safety, drainage, lighting, ancillary civil works, upgrading of Uisce Éireann network and further investment in Cavan Waste Water Treatment Plant, while ESB Networks will also be investing in their grid capacity locally.

"In view of the demand for additional housing and improved infrastructure across all these services are vital and is beneficial for the entire town," Deputy Smith stated.

"I commend the County Councils in Cavan and Monaghan in their detailed and successful submissions in relation to local needs."

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Niamh Smyth said the news is "very welcome" for both Cavan and Monaghan.

"We all know that the shortage of housing is one of the most pressing issues facing families and young people across our constituency, and this investment gets to the heart of the problem."

"By putting the right infrastructure in place, roads, water and grid capacity, we remove the barriers that have been holding up housing delivery for years. These four projects have the potential to unlock thousands of new homes in Cavan Town and Monaghan Town, and that is something I am very proud to welcome today."

Senator Robbie Gallagher said: “I’m just off the phone with Minister for Housing James Browne, he has just given the green light to Monaghan Co Council the go-ahead to construct a new road between the Ballybay and Clones Road.”

This will not only unlock lands for housing infrastructure but also relieve traffic congestion, the Fianna Fáil representative added.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Carmel Brady has welcomed the announcement, describing the Cavan projects as "two worthy schemes, which will improve safety, encourage active travel, and pave the way for much-needed housing supply”.

For more, see this week's newspaper.