Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
774. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans for a 'right-sizing' scheme; if this will support older people who own their own homes and are not on the local authority social housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28276/23]
View answer775. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to develop housing for older persons to allow them to downsize their own larger home where said older persons own their own home and are not on the local authority social housing list, to support this cohort to live independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28277/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 774 and 775 together.
Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a national policy on right-sizing.
My Department is advancing work on the development of this policy and exploration of the options to support and incentivise right-sizing on a voluntary basis with the objective of optimising the potential for more efficient use of under occupied existing private and social housing stock. The development of a national right-sizing policy is having regard to a focused stakeholder consultation undertaken in the latter part of 2022 and existing local authority approaches to right-sizing for social housing. My Department is working on bringing forward a draft national policy in the coming months.
