Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I am impressed with what I have heard so far and I like what Dr. McManus is saying. Dr. McManus spoke about housing for older people and pointed out that as people age they need more supports. I do not know he is aware of the Great Northern Haven in County Louth which is a fantastic centre.

I suggest to the Chairman that we might visit it. The centre has about 12 apartments where people live as they get older. The centre has technological assistance in terms of sensors whereby if the residents get up late at night, a light comes on automatically in the bathroom, or if water spills over in the bath or in the kitchen, an alarm goes off. The residents are interrogated medically in terms of "Did you take your pills today, Mary?", or "Let us check your blood pressure", and so on. That is the type of wonderful work that is needed in the future. I like that; I think it is good. I also like the fact that the community can add and build on. If there are people in the community who are dedicated to a voluntary body or an ideal, they can do much more than a local authority.

I understand where Ms Gallagher is coming from and I do not disagree with her. I see an improved role for voluntary associations because they can open doors for people that local authorities would never be able to open. In terms of the national deficit in social housing and the limitations on local authorities and the bureaucracy, for want of a better word, what more can the organisation do to add value or get more housing built?

Some years ago I was in Ringsend where I met two ladies close to the toll bridge. Approximately 100 apartments were built there for less than €200,000, while in the same area, commercial developers were building for double that amount. We are talking about getting commercial developers back into the business. They are not coming back at the moment, but if we could get voluntary organisations working, we should support them as they can build at a far cheaper cost. They will have much more support from statutory agencies. What new initiative could be supported? If my question is too long-winded perhaps the witnesses would forward a submission to the committee. The bridgehead the witnesses can bring to this is hugely important and could get through much red tape.