Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and Ms Feeney. While the 12% may be ahead of the 8% demand, a concern we have and we have seen in submissions to the committee is that a number of people who have a disability and are in need of independent housing are not, in fact, even on the housing list. What work can go into identifying those who may be housed per sebut are not housed in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and in a way appropriate to them that reflects their rights and choices?

Others have asked about congregated settings. I know the Minister of State will be creating new instruments, but some of those he has had to use were from a pre-UNCRPD era. For example, a crude measure of the number of people in a house, be it four or ten, does not capture the idea of choice for persons with a disability and, indeed, the obligations of the State in that regard. Choice for Travellers should also be included. How do we bring in disability standards in respect of Traveller accommodation and halting sites?

In that regard, what are the plans to review Part M of the building regulations? It is not currently fit for purpose. Part M refers to the visitability of buildings. As the Minister of State has acknowledged, the regulations set a minimum, and while it may encourage other standards, the issue is around the quality criteria. We must raise the technical specifications as a whole for all buildings, and that could be done by reforming Part M. The State can and should be doing more by adding quality criteria in terms of universal design in housing built by the State. What are the Minister of State's plans in respect of universal design for housing that is built, purchased or funded by the State? What are his thoughts on raising the Part M specifications as the minimum? I am explicitly thinking about new builds and new housing but also in terms of publicly owned housing.

This comes into the area of the Land Development Agency. I am concerned about the ratio of social and affordable housing affordable to commercial housing proposed by the Land Development Agency. Does the Minister of State think there is a case for an additional percentage specifically in respect of disability accessible housing that would be publicly owned and public rental for persons with a disability which would then increase our housing stock and be there as something that could be used again? I am suggesting publicly owned public rental housing for persons with a disability and, perhaps, putting in a specific additional cohort of social housing in respect of that, as well as raising the general universal standards.

I have two quick questions in respect of public amenities because the Minister of State's remit includes planning. How do we ensure universally accessible public amenities are factored into the design of all of these new neighbourhoods we are planning to build? Could there be a proposal for combining housing adaptation and retrofitting grants?

We know large-scale retrofitting will be rolled out. Could there be a combined proposal for which people could apply? I believe that would be appealing to many people and would allow the standard to be raised.

My next question relates to renters. There are many disabled people in the private rental market. How do we ensure they can seek housing adaptation and be supported in doing so? How do we ensure they do not have security of tenure jeopardised if they seek measures? Under much of the current tenancy legislation adaptation or works to premises are among the things that push people out. Bearing in mind that statutory home care provisions are on the way we are going to see a significant push up in demand. We need to get ahead of the curve in that regard.