Poor infrastructure is hindering house building, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) warns in its pre-budget submission to Government.

The federation is calling on the Government to increase spending on the construction of housing, roads, water treatment facilities and other services in next October’s budget.

The CIF says it has identified zoned lands in Dublin that could hold up to 13,000 new homes but cannot because they lack roads, water and waste services.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/08/legal-attempt-prevent-brexit-preliminary-hearing-article-50

It argues the Government must renew “extensive investment” in infrastructure so the Republic can continue to compete internationally for jobs.

“An increase of €1 billion in construction spending yields 10,000 new construction jobs,” the CIF says.

Projects

It highlights a number of projects that could deliver returns for the State, including the Galway city outer bypass, the Shannon water supply scheme, the western transport corridor link, the Dunkettle interchange and N28 to Ringaskiddy in Cork.

The CIF points out that this is an opportune time to invest and says the State’s contribution to the public capital programme, which funds infrastructure, should be increased.

It also wants the Government to establish an independent infrastructure commission to decide where spending should be prioritised.