I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 23, inclusive, together.
Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population' policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people. The actions include the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse needs of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs. My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is successfully guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework.
An implementation group, led by an independent Chair and representative of the two Departments and their agencies as well as older persons was established to oversee and manage the implementation of Housing Options of Our Ageing Population Policy Statement. The Implementation Group published three reports detailing the progress achieved on each of the Actions and these are available at
gov - Housing Options for Our Ageing Population – Policy Statement (www.gov.ie).
My Department continues to collaborate with the Department of Health on the implementation of relevant ongoing actions, together with engagement on advancing the most appropriate framework, under the strategic framework of Housing for All, to ensure the effective integration of health and housing policies at national and local level.
Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing and details of land acquisition requirements. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes including housing for older people.
My Department does not hold data in relation to the size of stock of housing in local authorities, this information may be available directly from the local authorities.
My Department does not collate data in relation to housing and ancillary supports, this information may be available directly from local authorities and the Health Service Executive.