Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
379. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will identify funding streams or any grant funding available within his Department to supplement and incentivise the planning and construction of housing projects for older persons specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42851/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting older people to live in their own homes and communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this leads to the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to ensuring that, where new developments are being provided, there is an appropriate mix of housing design types, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities.
The housing needs of older people are addressed specifically in several Actions in "Housing for All-a New Housing Plan for Ireland", which was launched last week. Action 6.2 of the plan requires that that the Housing Delivery Plans of local authorities will set out how dedicated social housing provision appropriate to the needs of older people will be delivered matching the scale and extent of housing need for older people identified. The housing needs of older people will also be assessed more widely through the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment Process in accordance with National Policy Objective 37 of the National Planning Framework (NPF) allowing local authorities to plan sufficient provision of sustainable housing in optimal locations to facilitate ageing in place.
Funding in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people including supported housing/housing with care is made available through the various funding streams that support the provision of social housing by local authorities and approved housing bodies, in accordance with the principles of the Joint Policy Statement, "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population". This policy statement was published by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Health in 2019 and implementation of its 40 Actions will be supported by the provisions of Housing for All.
