Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2678. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of council-owned homes or approved housing body units that were allocated for persons with a disability in 2017; and the targets for 2018 and 2019. [33646/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning, construction and allocation of local authority housing (including approved housing body units) is a matter for individual local authorities. As such, it is entirely a matter for local authorities to decide whether or not to allocate a percentage of houses to people with disabilities. I have no function in relation to such decisions nor does my Department hold statistics on such allocations.
One of the key measures achieved in 2016 under the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD), which has been extended to 2020, was the establishment of Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) in all housing authority areas, to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level. These are chaired by Directors of Housing in each authority and include HSE and disability representative organisations. Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet identified and emerging need over the next five years. These Plans, along with the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments, allow local authorities to plan more strategically for the housing needs of people with a disability and support the delivery of accommodation using all appropriate housing supply mechanisms.
