It is open to local authorities to provide suitable housing units for elderly persons under the local authority housing construction-acquisition programme which is funded by capital grants provided by my Department. It is common practice for such housing to be provided by local authorities and in many cases elderly persons in such accommodation will require support either initially or as they grow older.
Under the terms of the capital assistance scheme, assistance is available to approved voluntary housing bodies where 75% of the housing units to be provided are to be used as residential accommodation for eligible categories of persons, including the elderly.
The scheme is funded by my Department and administered by local authorities who are responsible for determining, and certifying to my Department, that projects comply with the terms of the scheme.