asked the Minister for Local Government if he will request the National Building Agency to undertake a comprehensive drive for the provision of dwellings, either single unit or communal, for elderly people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing for the Elderly.
35.
It has been my constant concern to secure the provision, within available resources, of an adequate supply of housing accommodation suited to the special needs of elderly persons. Towards this end housing authorities are required, in their statutory assessments of housing needs, to have special regard to the needs of elderly persons, and are allowed a high rate of housing subsidy for this purpose. They have been exhorted by me, from time to time, to tackle vigorously the problem of providing suitable housing accommodation for the aged. I have given them detailed guidance as to how to approach the problem, and have asked them to include, in their building programmes, a suitable proportion of special housing for the aged.
In General, the local authorities have responded reasonably well and a number of them have already provided or have plans to provide a significant number of dwellings for elderly persons. Because of the particular needs of such persons for home help, nursing and similar services, there must be close co-ordination between housing, health and social welfare authorities in the care of the aged. For these reasons, I feel that it would be preferable to leave with the local authorities the initiative in developing adequate housing programmes for elderly persons rather than ask the National Building Agency—whose main function is housing construction—to undertake a comprehensive drive towards this end. I would, however, be favourably disposed towards any requests which housing or other authorities—or indeed philanthropic bodies in respect of special grant-aided housing for the aged—might make for my consent to the use of the agency's services for the design and construction of special housing for the aged.
Does the Minister agree that there is a certain shortfall in housing for the aged by local authorities?
There has been but I am satisfied that housing authorities in general are making a significant effort in this regard now.
All they want is permission from the Minister to borrow the money to proceed with the houses.
They have to submit the plans first.
They have submitted the plans and they are waiting for the Minister to send them back again. The Minister will have a question from me next week. That calls his bluff.
Put down the question next week.