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Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (1178)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

1178. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for his Department, local authorities or an agency under the remit of his Department to become directly involved in the development of retirement villages or support the private sector in the development of such villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1480/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is currently exploring policy options including supporting housing/housing with care so that older people have a wider range of housing options and choices available to them.

There are a number of key principles underpinning Government policy on housing for older people and on which our policy framework will be constructed. These include putting in place measures to ensure that sustainable housing is provided in the right location to enable people to age in the community; to design housing and the environment in accordance with the principles of sustainable lifetime housing; to promote the use of assistive technology to support people to live independently; to give adequate consideration to the need for social connectedness in devising policy; and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve the policy objectives.

An Expert Conference on Housing for Older People was held in Farmleigh on 20 November 2018 hosted by my Department and the Department of Health. A number of experts in the field outlined how the above principles can be brought to fruition in imaginative and practical ways, which bring about tangible benefits for the older person.

Following on from the conference, my Department will be publishing the policy framework on housing options for older people later in Q1 2019, representing a further step in the broader process of seeking to ensure that older people are provided with appropriate accommodation options that are suited to their needs. The policy statement will set out a framework by which the Government can facilitate housing, including housing with care, for older people having regard to current demographics and looking at best practice models. The aim is to ensure that people can grow old and live in a community of their choosing, with dignity and independence.

At this time, no discussions have taken place between my Department and the Department of Health and Local Authorities in relation to plans to provide State funded retirement villages.

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