Ms Claire Feeney:

The main thing for us, working through the housing and disability steering groups, is to ensure there is collaboration between the various organisations in order to support people to live independently in an area of their choice, which is exactly what the Deputy is talking about. One of things about which we and the Minister of the State have always had a concern is that people moving from congregated settings have a choice regarding where they go. It is very much about having a care plan that is developed with the person, not for the person. Circular 45/2015 set out clearly how the co-operation was to work. There are some really good examples of where co-operation has been worked, such as where funding may come through the HSE into one of the specific approved housing bodies, AHBs, to provide support and the local councils provide the actual housing. For example, there have been schemes in Fingal with the Housing Association for Independent Living, HAIL and Co-operative Housing Ireland, in Cork with the Cope Foundation, as well as in Longford and various other places.

The Minister of State alluded to the issue of mental health tenancy sustainment and the joint funding aspect of that. It is very much about ensuring that people can live in places and houses of their choice and be supported to do so. In 2017, a guide to the assessment of and allocations for people with a disability was issued to local authorities. That too was very much about ensuring there was choice for people and that they could work with their service provider and local authority with regard to the provision of housing. The guide provided examples in that regard.