Ms Claire Feeney:

We collate all the figures by county so we will be able to provide the Deputy with it as part of additional information with regard to the allocations in the mid-west over the past five years and the need within the mid-west. A very important issue is looking at future need, of which the housing subgroup would have been very conscious, covering such things as elderly parents. We are working with the Health Research Board. It has a database that holds quite an amount of information about people's housing need, so it has details on the housing need of anybody accessing disability funding. We are looking at how we can share information so that at a county level, we can help to inform the local strategic plans. One of the most important things is around raising awareness of the benefits of being on the housing list and the housing options available to people. One section in the local strategic plans being produced by local authorities involves local authorities identifying how to raise awareness of housing options. We are aware that the Irish Wheelchair Association is planning a campaign shortly, which we will support 100%. It was raised at all of the housing and disability steering groups and it will be supported at local level. It will increase the number of people on the housing list and will then give local authorities and the Department a better view of how to strategically plan for housing need over the next five years through Housing For All.