Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
37. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his assessment of the number of senior citizens complexes being built by local authorities and his involvement in ensuring local authorities are planning ahead to accommodate the ageing population in their areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22066/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are responsible for the detailed planning of social housing provision based on the needs of their areas, which can vary with regard to the age profile and associated housing need from one local authority to another. Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority to identify the appropriate initiatives to respond to their housing need, including appropriate accommodation for older people.
All social housing proposals funded by my Department must also comply with the principles of Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities, which state that the choice of mix of dwellings for social housing developments should be based primarily on the results of the most recent assessment of housing need. Regard should be had to the need to achieve a balanced mix of dwelling types, sizes and tenure, both in an immediate locality and in the housing stock as a whole.
In addition to supporting local authorities in respect of their social housing developments, including developments for older people, my Department also funds the Capital Assistance Scheme. That provides support via local authorities for approved housing bodies to provide sheltered housing for older people, as well as people with a disability and homeless persons.
