Vol. 501 No. 4
34 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether local authority senior citizen accommodation should be developed with a separate bedroom rather than bedsit type; if all senior citizens accommodation will have appropriate supports and security alarm systems; if the technical guidelines specify these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6179/99]
The type of accommodation to be provided in senior citizen dwellings is a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance having regard to their housing needs. The model plans in a booklet containing guidelines on the provision of housing for elderly people circulated by my Department to housing authorities provides for separate bedrooms and living areas in all instances. It is my understanding that housing authorities generally do not now provide bedsit type dwellings for senior citizens.
Accommodation provided by housing authorities for elderly people may include, where appropriate, such facilities as alarm systems and warden accommodation, the capital cost of which can be met from the capital funding for the particular housing scheme. It is a matter for each housing authority to consider whether the provision of such facilities in an individual scheme is appropriate. The funding of any operational costs, including staffing of an alarm or warden system, would be a matter for the housing authority from their own revenue resources.
