Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
2075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce an older persons' housing designation for private sector housing schemes which would facilitate older persons in downsizing and would also ensure that such schemes would remain in use for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/17]
View answer2076. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will give consideration to requiring a fixed percentage of housing development to be dedicated to older persons' housing in order to cater for full life cycle housing location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38994/17]
View answer2077. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide funding and set targets for the operation of the financial contribution scheme in view of its success in the past, the popularity of the scheme with older persons and the sustainability of the freeing up of family homes in established housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2075 to 2077, inclusive, together.
My Department is committed to supporting older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this has the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole. Rebuilding Ireland aims to ensure that older people have a range of housing choices available to them and there is an overall commitment to examine the potential of targeted schemes to meet differing housing needs. To this end, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is developing policy options for supported housing/housing with care so that older people have a wider range of accommodation choices available to them, options that will enable them to choose accommodation that is appropriate and suited to their needs.
Planning authorities are required, under section 94 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to include a housing strategy in their development plans which must outline the authorities’ plans for the existing and future housing needs of the population of their areas. The housing strategy must include provisions to ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of the different categories of households including the special requirements of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Housing strategies must also have regard to relevant policies or objectives of the Government.
Local authorities are already involved in projects to enable older persons to downsize from accommodation that has become too large for them. The financial contribution scheme is a scheme operated by Dublin City Council which facilitated older people to downsize thus potentially freeing up these larger homes for use as family units. The scheme is currently under review by the City Council. Cork City Council have a similar 'downsizing scheme' for both social housing tenants and private home owners and other local authorities are considering options for similar schemes. The recently launched Annamore Court in Ballyfermot is an example of a scheme that incorporates downsizing options.
