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

My thanks to Senator Seery Kearney for her comprehensive outline of the needs we have to meet. That is important to say. One of the priority actions under the national disability plan is action 1.1. As I mentioned before, this led to the establishment of a steering committee within each of the local authorities. It places an obligation on the local authority to put forward a five-year plan on how it would resolve and respond to the needs of those on the list, especially those in need of special accommodation for disabilities.

Senator Seery Kearney asked a question on local authority data. It normally runs around the level of 8% but can vary according to the different local authorities. Nationally, it is approximately 8%. That five-year programme sets out how the local authorities are responding to the need and shapes how they deliver their housing units.

One thing is really heartening. We are experiencing difficult times with Covid-19. I have referenced where construction is. The overall disability allocation for housing tenancies has increased by 64% from 2016 and we had 2,389 allocations in 2019 up from 1,179 in 2016.

The allocations are across all the categories that are so important, including physical, sensory, intellectual and mental health and they are being delivered on the ground by local authorities, which is so important.

I refer to new reference too in terms of the various needs, which was mentioned. Priority action 5.4 relating to mental health sustainability officers is something we really need to examine in the next plan to see how we can increase that provision.

It is very important to support people in tenancies. That is another significant issue. It can be daunting for those with a disability or a mental health issue when they are placed in a tenancy. We really need to get wrap-around supports in place. That will be a key part of the next process.

The Senator referred to local authorities. When I was a councillor and chair of my municipal district, an experiment carried out by the Irish Wheelchair Association with several elected members really opened my eyes. One councillor was blindfolded and another was put in a wheelchair and they were brought around the local town to experience the impediments there are that the Senator and I would not notice while walking around. It was an incredible experience in terms of making me aware of the basic infrastuctural improvements that we really need to deliver to unlock opportunities for people. We are working hard, through the 31 local authorities, to try to deliver in respect of those important issues.

I refer to the importance of the various forms being accessible and in plain English. It is very important to ensure there is no impediment to people in terms of applying and being supported through the application process for housing adaptations in order to give them that choice and independent living.