Seán Power
Ceist:185 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he has taken to promote lifetime and adaptable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9465/99]
Written Answers. - Lifetime Adaptable Housing.
Lifetime adaptable housing involves the design and construction of housing in such a way as it can be more readily and economically adapted to the changing needs of a household over time. The recent commitment to amend the national building regulations to require new houses starting on or after 1 January 2000 to be visitable by people with disabilities represents a major step towards the principle of lifetime adaptable housing. The new measures will facilitate not only disabled visitors but residents in the new dwellings who may become temporarily or permanently mobility impaired during their lifetime through illness, accident or old age.