Galway City Council has secured funding of up to €30 million under the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF ), supporting key infrastructure projects that could unlock land for up to 12,877 homes across the city.
The HIIF forms part of the Government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030 plan, a €1 billion national investment programme aimed at accelerating housing delivery by funding critical enabling infrastructure. This is the largest housing infrastructure fund announced in Ireland in many years and is a central pillar in achieving the national target of delivering 300,000 homes by 2030.
Galway City Council was successful in two standalone applications and supported a third application led by the Land Development Agency (LDA ). These projects will unlock housing potential across key growth areas in Castlegar, Ardaun and Sandy Road.
Castlegar – €15 million investment
The Castlegar project will deliver essential infrastructure across two locations:
Tuam Road (N83 ): A new four-way signalised junction and spine road through development lands, alongside the undergrounding of existing ESB lines and provision of new electrical infrastructure.
Bóthar an Choiste: Upgrade of approximately 525 metres of existing road, improving access to lands with planning permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD ) of 168 homes and a crèche.
The project also supports longer-term planning through the development of a Priority Urban Area Plan to guide sustainable growth in the wider Castlegar area.
Ardaun – €6.5 million investment
The Ardaun project will fund the construction of a trenchless crossing beneath the N67, providing a critical utilities corridor connecting existing infrastructure at Sraith Fhada, Doughiska, to development lands in Ardaun South.
This essential enabling infrastructure will facilitate the first phase of development in Ardaun, a key strategic growth area for Galway, with the capacity to deliver over 2,500 homes as part of a phased development.
Sandy Road (LDA partnership ) – < €10 million
Delivered in partnership with the Land Development Agency, this project involves the realignment of Sandy Road, including a new junction with Sean Mulvoy Road to provide access to the Sandy Quarter development lands.
This investment will directly enable approximately 550 homes and indirectly unlock capacity for an additional 3,699 homes.
The project complements wider investment in the Galway CityRing Road and sustainable transport infrastructure, reinforcing the area’s role as a major regeneration site.
Newly elected Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Helen Ogbu welcomed the announcement of this significant investment for Galway city which will support long-term housing need for the growing population.
“These projects will remove key infrastructure barriers to unlock strategic sites which will enable the development of thousands of much?needed homes in well?serviced locations of the city’.
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, welcomed the funding announcement.
“I am delighted that Galway City Council has been successful in securing this significant investment under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund. These projects represent critical enabling infrastructure that will unlock the delivery of thousands of homes across the city.
“Importantly, this funding allows us to take a planned and strategic approach to growth, ensuring that essential services such as roads, water, wastewater and energy infrastructure are delivered in tandem with housing. This will support sustainable, well-connected communities in key locations including Castlegar, Ardaun and Sandy Road,” he added.
Director of Housing Services and Integration, Lieze Fanning, emphasised the impact on housing delivery.
“This funding is a major step forward in addressing housing need in Galway City. By investing in the infrastructure required to open up these lands, we are removing some of the most significant barriers to residential development.
The scale of what can now be delivered is very significant, with the potential to unlock over 12,500 homes. Just as importantly, these developments will be supported by the necessary infrastructure and services, helping to create sustainable and liveable communities for current and future residents.”
The HIIF programme targets investment where it will have the greatest impact, focusing on infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and services that are essential to activate development lands. The projects supported in Galway City align with national priorities to accelerate housing supply while ensuring high-quality urban development.
