Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has addressed industry leaders at the Beyond '26 Live conference in Cookstown, focusing on the practical steps needed to increase the supply of new homes.

The Minister emphasised that while infrastructure challenges—particularly within the wastewater network—remain significant, targeted investment and planning improvements are beginning to yield results.

During a "fireside chat" at the event, the Minister revealed that NI Water has received more than £500 million in public funding so far this year. This allocation, representing 92% of the organization's requested operational budget, is being used to modernise the network. Furthermore, a specific £30 million investment has successfully unlocked wastewater capacity for 5,300 new properties, surpassing initial targets set for the current 2021-2028 price control period.

The Minister highlighted a strong period for the local building industry, noting that the second quarter of 2025 saw more new house starts than at any point since 2018. She also pointed out that construction output in the region has reached a 15-year high, currently outperforming the rest of the UK. Minister Kimmins said: "There are no quick fixes to the infrastructure challenges facing the north, particularly when it comes to wastewater capacity. Continued engagement with the house-building sector is essential to understanding delivery challenges and identifying practical next steps which is why I welcome these discussions today. So far this year NI Water has received over £500 million of public money, which is almost 92% of what they asked for to operate this year. My predecessor and I, through £30 million of ringfenced allocations, have already enabled the unlocking of wastewater capacity for 5,300 properties, which is above the 4,500 in Price Control (PC) 21 if it had been fully funded to 2028 and it is only 2026. The second quarter of 2025 has also seen the highest number of new house starts since 2018 and construction output has reached a 15-year high in the North in this period, outperforming Britain."

The Minister also addressed the importance of a streamlined planning system. With local councils responsible for over 99% of planning applications, the Department for Infrastructure is working alongside local government to improve the speed and effectiveness of the decision-making process.

The Minister continued: "I also acknowledge the important role the planning system plays in supporting the delivery of sustainable development across the North. My Department continues to work in partnership with local government, who are responsible for the determination of over 99% of planning applications, and with key stakeholders through the planning improvement agenda with the aim of enhancing the performance and long-term effectiveness of the planning system in the North. These measures and initiatives aim to improve all aspects of the system, including the local development plan and development management processes, to help ensure development is facilitated as efficiently and effectively as possible, resulting in better outcomes for the house building sector."