Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014
125. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to liaise with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the budget 2015 commitment to reconvene a social housing construction programme in view of the importance of access to housing in the community for persons challenged by mental health issues. [42756/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2012, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government jointly published the National Implementation Framework to support the Government's National Housing Strategy for People with Disability 2011 to 2016. The Strategy sets out a broad framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities, and for people with mental health issues, through mainstream housing policy. The development of the Strategy took account of the Government's disability and mental health policies, including the Report of the HSE Working Group on Congregated Settings and A Vision for Change, to progress the options for people with intellectual, physical or mental health disabilities to obtain suitable housing accommodation at community level, with supports appropriate to their needs. It was envisaged that this would be implemented by way of a leasing funding model for social housing. To advance this, €1 million was transferred from the HSE Vote to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Vote to provide for housing options for up to 150 people currently resident in disability or mental health settings, in both 2013 and 2014.
Due to the relatively small numbers of people who were in a position to leave institutional type settings in 2013, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government obtained approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for up to €975,000 of this funding to be used for the purchase of a small number of properties, on a once-off basis, to accommodate up to 15 people for whom a person centred plan with appropriate supports was in place. The remaining €25,000 was targeted at leasing homes in the community for those 'transitioning' before the end of 2013.
Cross-departmental objectives on housing for people leaving institutional or other disability and mental health settings are being advanced through the Housing Strategy for People with a Disability Implementation Monitoring Group, and its associated Housing Sub-Group, which my Department is participating in. This Group is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which has the lead role in advancing the Housing Strategy.
Budget 2015 also provided for new Social Housing investment by that Department, which includes provision for 400 new housing units for people with specific needs, and up to 150 new homes in the community for those with disabilities leaving institutional type settings. Some of these homes may be available for people with mental health issues. The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to maximise the options under all social housing initiatives for those with a mental health disability.
