Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2021
66. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of ensuring that a minimum of 7.5% of social housing is built to universal design standards for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36714/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. However, Action 97 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 states – “We will prepare policy advice on ways of achieving universal design solutions for new housing so that new homes can be accessed and used by all persons, irrespective of size, age, ability or disability. We will advise on any implications of same for stakeholders including designers, builders, homeowners and tenants.” I understand that the National Disability Authority (NDA), which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, is working on this policy advice, and associated estimate of costs, on ways of achieving universal design solutions in new housing.
The NDA also provides comprehensive guidance on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability. 'Building for Everyone, A Universal Design Approach', a NDA publication, may be accessed at www.nda.ie.
The ‘Programme for Government Our Shared Future’ commits to ensuring that there is an appropriate mix of housing design types provided, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities. In addition, the joint policy statement Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, launched by my Department and the Department of Health in 2019, includes an Action on universal design to “In partnership with industry, introduce measures to ensure that over a five year period delivery is increased to ensure that 30% of all new dwellings are built to incorporate universal design principles to accommodate our ageing population.” Appropriate measures to deliver on this commitment are currently being considered by my Department.
The housing needs of people with disabilities are addressed in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011-2016 (extended to 2021). The Strategy aims to facilitate the provision of housing options and related services to disabled people to allow individual choice and support independent living within mainstream housing. In accordance with the vision and strategic aims of the Strategy to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level, Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) have been established in all local authority areas. These are chaired by the Directors of Housing with membership including the Health Service Executive (HSE) and disability representatives.
Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet the identified, and emerging, housing needs of people with disabilities in their areas with a view to developing annual targets for the delivery of housing to people with a disability on their housing waiting lists.
A new NHSPWD, is currently being developed by my Department and the Department of Health, with a view to publication by the end of 2021.
