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

I will bring Ms Feeney in on that point in a moment. I drilled down into the figure earlier on in terms of the current list nationally. There are approximately 5,002 approved applicants with a disability, and I cited that is around 8% of the national housing list. I referred to how we are providing 12% solutions. In terms of our allocations, we are prioritising, as much as we can, those within the disability sector to ensure their housing needs are met.

On location, one critical thing is that the national planning framework, to be fair, will point infrastructure towards housing needs. That in addition to our urban regeneration and development funding will absolutely give a huge chance. We have the plan to unlock the potential. I have seen on many occasions section 38 and 39 organisations purchasing properties out in the countryside with no infrastructure to support them, with no transport for very vulnerable people. This limits their choice compared to if they were in a town which had all services beside them to meet their needs. I absolutely agree 100% with the Deputy on that point. We need to look at that issue.

The Deputy highlighted another point. As a Deputy, I have seen elderly parents who have a son or daughter with a severe disability. They worry and experiencing stressful feelings about the future. That presents a huge challenge to the State. My Department is working with the HSE and we are doing significant work in that area but there is no doubt more that needs to be done. One can think of people who have a business. They are probably working longer than they should be. They are trying to hold on to their business in some cases where they may have no sibling or child to take over the business. They are worrying about whether their business is going to be wiped out in terms of means-tested applications for the future. I know Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is doing a huge amount of work in this area as well and have had discussions with her in that context.

I might bring Ms Feeney in to respond to Deputy Cathal Crowe on that issue.