Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for those questions. The sound and the connection dropped in the middle of her contribution for a few moments but I hope I got the gist of what she said and, if not, she can ask me a second question. One of the key recommendations in the national disability strategy was to have a steering group in each of the 31 local authorities. They are aware of the demand in each local authority and they are also the planning authorities for the way housing will be delivered into the future in their areas of jurisdiction. Each separate committee is led by a director of services and has members from the HSE, the local authority and various different groups. One change we are bringing about is to ensure the voice of lived experience is brought on to that committee from people with disabilities. That will greatly assist matters. They will assist in meeting the policy and targets within the council. The committees meet quarterly. The have many meetings with the Housing Agency to ensure the programme in terms of the national strategy is being implemented correctly and that process is ongoing.

In terms of providing different solutions, choice and independent living are key to the overall strategy. We are trying our very best to deliver that. Since 2016, we have seen almost a 300% increase in cast-building construction units. That is a colossal increase in a five-year period. Our grants have also increased by more than 100% in the year prior to Covid and 64% last year because of Covid. We are trying to give people independence and choice. The Deputy made valid points on the building regulations. A major study by the Churchill Fellowship outlined Ireland as a leader and the path to follow in getting to have universal design, bringing people along with it and encouraging that to happen. As I pointed out in my opening statement, we can note from the building regulations how much we have improved on issue, be it for commercial buildings or apartments having a disability certificate and ensuring compliance for visitors and those who use commercial buildings.

I acknowledge we have a significant volume of work to do in bringing the universal design side together. We have to do that with the advocacy groups and, I hope, in the new strategy as we try to develop it over the months ahead.