Ms Siobhan McArdle:

Specifically in mental health, we do not have issues in respect of planning. We have had some infrastructural developments in the midlands. Some of our high-support need houses have been redeveloped. Part of our service reform fund policy concerns enhancing housing options for people with mental health difficulties and working closely with local authorities and housing agencies to ensure it is not just the HSE that is supplying housing but that people can be given sustainable tenancies like any other member of the public, such that they are not defined by their diagnosis and can live in the community. We do not have experience in our area of people objecting because we are working more closely with the local authorities to ensure people are living full lives in the community. It is just about getting tenancies. There are no special accommodation requirements for somebody with low or medium support needs. It is just about getting housing and sustaining it through tenancy support. Obviously, for people who have continuing care needs, we provide a higher number of beds together, although not in a complicated setting. The individuals live in the community and are supported by support workers, who ensure people are engaged in community settings.