Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024
43. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the provision of incentives towards the creation of safe secure living in town centres suitable for those seeking to rightsize and to gain access to homes where assisted living within the community could be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/24]
View answer150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what policy tools have been put in place to support rightsizing of accommodation for those, particularly older people to move to a smaller home or to adapt their existing home into two residential units, releasing unneeded space upgrading the energy use and comfort of the home; and if he will indicate his estimate of the number of such moves which are being made annually. [15930/24]
View answer152. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has set any target for the development of purpose-built housing for older people by the councils or Approved Housing Agencies, distinguishing the level of wrap-around service for those designated for people who require assisted living. [15932/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 150 and 152 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.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of proposed delivery of housing for older people. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities. In addition, arising from an action in Housing Options for our Ageing Population and in conjunction with Tailte Éireann, my Department developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping Decision Support Tool to support the development of housing specifically for older people on the best available sites appropriate to their needs and close to essential services. This Tool and relevant training is now in use by local authorities to decide on the best sites to develop housing for older people.
The Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Whilst some local authorities operate rightsizing schemes, housing supports and the oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the application for, and allocation of, tenancies, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Work is being advanced in my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing.
Further detail on the numbers of households who have availed of local authority rightsizing schemes may be available directly from local authorities.
