Local authorities are to be given a €200 million fund in the latest effort to kickstart the construction industry.

The so-called 'Local Infrastructure Fund' will pay for roads and other infrastructure for development sites - meaning developers won't have to pay themselves.

The hope is that developers will then find it more financially viable to develop the land, as their development levies would be lower - and that the sod could be turned more quickly.

The fund is double what had been promised under the Programme for Government, which committed to a €100 million investment to address the issue.

It's been welcomed by the Construction Industry Federation, which says the scheme will ease the restrictions on builders getting credit for development projects.

A similar issue had been suggested in the draft report of the Dáil's housing committee, which wants NAMA to take on a similar role for development land under its control.

Housing minister Simon Coveney says it'll have a major impact on the number of houses built: