Ms Mary Hurley:

I will follow up on a few queries. Senator Grace O'Sullivan asked about the communication piece which is really important. In terms of our interaction with the local authority, the framework is set through things like the national planning framework, housing strategies, development plans, guidelines and building regulations. What will be important for people on the ground and citizens is the strategy and policy statement we will issue because that will set out the different issues around urban renewal, connected living and delivery in centres for older people. That will be an important communication tool.

In terms of the services that are offered, one of the things we always require local authorities to do is to have good information up on their websites. Through Citizen's Information, people are made aware of the various different grants. Hopefully, through that mechanism, people will be aware of what they are entitled to, or what is available to them. When we publish the older persons' policy statement, we would see ourselves doing a lot of work on communicating the different things that are available to people so that they know. It is important in terms of our work, the work of the Department of Health and the HSE that there is a joined up approach on the ground. People should hear about what is available through their GP and through the different health services they go through.

We have spoken a lot about the delivery and the type of mixed delivery that older people need and want. The approved housing bodies piece is important in terms of delivery and the type of homes that come through for older persons. We have seen some very successful schemes where approved housing bodies can give the supports that are required on the ground to those older people.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of stoves. That is not something that is encompassed within our housing adaptation grant criteria and that we have funded in recent times. In the past they may have been funded, but it is not something that is encompassed at the moment.